A

INVESITIGATIVE STUDY

OF

BRIDGE STRENGTHENING

ADVANCE COMPOSITE SYSTEM

1. INTRODUCTION:

Objective:

The primary objective of this research study is to evaluate the various methodologies for

using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) to strengthen and rehabilitate reinforced concrete

bridge elements.

According to my opinion it is preferable, both environmentally and economically to upgrade

and augment existing bridges rather than to demolish and build new ones. Bridges deteriorate

from environmental influences and from traffic loads, hence they require rehabilitation and

renewal programs to maintain even current service levels on the bridge infrastructure

network.

Advanced Composite Systems have now become a viable method of strengthening existing

bridges worldwide meeting the demands for high durability, longer service life, reduced

maintenance cost and cost/performance optimization.

This case study presents the evolution of carbon fiber systems since 1991 as the most

preferred constituent, including relevant Test Reports for Bridge Engineering as well as their

worldwide application.

Infrastructure deterioration and bridge strengthening techniques using FRP materials are

discussed thoroughly and promoted as the most viable solution to the vexing issue of Bridge

augmentation and bridge construction. Advanced composite material are composed of fibers

of carbon, glass or aramid augmented with epoxy resins.

2. BACKGROUND:

2.1. About Advanced Building Polymers:

A composite material (composition material or composite) is a material made from two or

more constituent materials with materially different physical or chemical properties that,

when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the parent

components. The individual constituent components remain separate and distinct within the

finished structure.

Advanced composite materials (ACMs) are generally composed of unusually high strength

fibres with extra ordinary stiffness, or elasticity characteristics, mixed with concrete for

producing advanced composite material with desirable physical and chemical properties that

include light weight coupled with high strength, reinforcing fiber, dimensional stability, high

temperature and strong chemical resistance, flex performance, and relatively easy processing.

Advanced composites are replacing metal components in many uses, particularly in the

military, sports, medical and aerospace industry. These are termed advanced composite

materials (ACM) in comparison to the composite materials commonly in use such as

reinforced concrete, or even concrete itself.

Bridge strengthening is mandatory for every country and especially cold countries like

USA. The principal reasons for bridge strengthening are

1) Environmental corrosion and ageing

2) Corrosion of reinforcements of pillars

3) Increased traffic loads

4) Seismic issues

5) Floods
4. Alternatives:

After conducting various tests for identifying the best material for constructing new bridges i

have zeroed in onto Advanced Composite material made of fibre reinforced polymer as it has

significantly higher strength in comparison to steel, is lighter in weight, and is more durable

with a long service life. The use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bars and tendons is

considered to be one of the most promising solutions to overcome the deterioration problems

associated with concrete bridges due to the corrosion of steel reinforcements. The chief

reasons for my selection of FRP as a solution are:

1) Corrosion resistance

2) Lighter in weight

3) Longer shelf life

4) Elastic in nature

5) Good temperature resistance

6) Better shock absorption

7) Seismic resistance due to elastic nature

8) Fast production rate

9) Less tooling time

10) Can be molded into any shape

Proposed Solution:

After comprehensive search for a better Advanced Composite Material I have found the Fiber

reinforced Polymer to be the best solution for all the previous mentioned qualities.

Recommendations:

After through research into the documented results of various bridge strengthening solutions

implemented all over the world, I can honestly propose the best solution is to use Fiber

reinforced Polymer both for its strength and elastic flexibility. It is many times better than

using steels to reinforce concrete.

Proposed Solution:

After adequate testing of various material to create advanced composite material I whole

heartedly propose that Fiber reinforced Polymer is the best solution due to the presence of the

below qualities adequately 1) Flexural strength 2) Shear Strength 3) Seismic strength 4)

Confining strength.

Conclusion:

In conclusion I recommend Fiber reinforced polymer as the best constituent to create

Advanced composite Material to strengthen and augment detorating bridges and to increase

there load bearing strength and life.

7. Executive Summary:

7.1- Objective

The primary objective of this investigative study was to use select the best additive to

create Advanced Composite material.

7.2- Method

My chief research methodology was to check the efficiency of various additive to create

Advanced composite material that would suit the best to strengthen bridges.

7.3 – Results

My research study started with testing various additive to create Advanced Composite

Material and ended with proposing Fiber reinforced polymer to create Bridge strengthening

Advanced Composite material

7.4- Summary of Correlation

In conclusion my recommendations are to use Fiber reinforced polymer to create the bridge

strengthening advanced composite material.

REFERENCES:

1) Fam, A., Rizkalla, S.H. and Tadros, G. (1997), "Behaviour ofCFRP for Prestressing and

Shear Reinforcements of Concrete Highway Bridges", ACI Structural Journal,

January/February 1997, Vol. 94, No.1, pp. 77-86.

2) Newhook, J.P. and Mufti, A.A. (1996), "A Reinforcing Steel-free Concrete Deck Slab for

the Salmon River Bridge", Concrete International, June 1996, Vol. 18, No.6, pp.30-34.

3) Benmokrane, B., Chekired, M., Rahman, H. and Tadros, G. (1997), "Progres recents dans

I'utilisation de I'arnatyre en materiaux composites pour les structures en b6ton: Cas du pont

Joffre", Seminaire annuel1997 sur Les Progresdans Ie domaine du beton - Section du Quebec

et de l'Est de I'Est l'Ontario de l'ACI, Montreal, December 2 to 3, 1997,9 p.

4) Neale, K.W. and Labossiere, P. (1998), "Applications ofStructural Rehabilitation with

Fibre Composite Sheets in Cold Climates", Concrete International, June issue.

5) Hutchinson, R., Abdelrahman, A. andRizkalla, S.H. (1998), "Shear Strengthening Using

FRP Sheets for a Concrete Highway Bridge in Manitoba, Canada", Second International

Conference on Composites in Infrastructure (ICCI'98), January 5 to 7, 1998, Tucson,

Arizona.

6) EMPA Test Reports 170’569e-1, 418931E and 418931E/1. Sika CarboDur Structural

Strengthening Systems. Bonding of CFRP plates under dynamic load. Static testing of

prestressed narrow slabs post-strengthened with CFRP strips. Dübendorf, 1998 and 2001.
7) EMPA Test Report 402’017E/2: Sika CarboDur Structural Strengthening Systems. Fatigue

and Failure Test. Test beams B1 and B2, Dübendorf 1999.

8) DEURING M., “Verstärken von Stahlbeton mit gespannten Faserverbundwerkstoffen”,

Diss. ETH Nr. 10199, Zürich, 1993