Performance evaluation and prediction of reinforced concrete bridge columns wrapped with FRP
Abstract
The service life of highway bridges is limited because of the deterioration of their substructure components. In the U.S., it is estimated that more than 240,000 (about 40%) of the highway bridges are functionally or structurally deficient. Repairing these deteriorated bridges using traditional methods is usually time-consuming and expensive. Thus, it is important that new, safer, and more efficient methods be developed. Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) materials have a great potential to provide such a solution. Due to their superior material properties, such as corrosion-resistance and cost-effectiveness, FRP composite materials have been effectively used in a wide variety of applications in a number of industries. In recent years, prototype projects in civil infrastructures have demonstrated the effectiveness and the benefits of the use of FRP. However, the performance of FRP-wrapped columns, under severe environmental conditions, has not yet been fully assessed, and thus requires further investigation. The present work investigates the performance of FRP retrofit to columns in terms of their durability. This was accomplished through field monitoring, laboratory tests, and finite element modeling. As part of the field monitoring, temperature data were collected at various locations of the bridge column. Also, visual inspection of the two researched bridges was performed. No evidence of deterioration was detected so far. It was observed that some columns did not receive a final coating while some may present stress concentration due to poor surface smoothing. Also, some columns have experienced damage due to auto accidents; however, it is not clear at this point what effect these may have in the long-term performance. From the corrosion experimental tests, it has been found that FRP has an excellent resistance against aggressive agents even when a single layer is used. From the thermal cycle experiments and numerical simulations, it has been found that minor thermal cycles have no effects on performance of RC-wrapped columns. For large thermal cycles, this study shows some degradation in the ductility in the axial and the hoop directions.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Sotelino, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Civil engineering
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