BRIDGE RETROFITTING IN THE

PHILIPPINES
• Bridge Retrofitting – Upgrading of
an existing bridge to withstand
forces for which the bridge was not
originally designed for.
• This may be due to:
▫ Major changes in the new codes
▫ Actual forces are higher than
original design forces
 Retrofit Design Process
Structural Investigation
Nondestructive Tests
Destructive Test

Structural Evaluation
Check for compliance with
Code requirements

No Yes
Retrofit Components
END
Design Adequate?
Categories of Common Bridge Retrofit

• Seismic retrofit
• Retrofit for overloading
Reference Codes for Retrofitting
• FHWA Seismic Retrofitting Manual for Highway
Structures: Part 1 – Bridges
• Caltrans, Earthquake Retrofit for Bridges
• ACI Design and Construction of Externally
Bonded FRP
• AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications
• DPWH Bridge Seismic Design Specifications
BRIDGE SEISMIC RETROFIT
Environmental Challenge
Substructure
•Coping
•Column
•Foundation
Seismic Retrofit for Copings

Retrofit for
inadequate
coping
width
Seismic Retrofit for Copings

FRP Retrofit for Moment Inadequacy

Seismic Retrofit for Copings

FRP Retrofit for Shear

Inadequacy
Seismic Retrofit for Columns

Transverse FRP
confinement wrap Retrofit
using FRP
Longitudinal FRP
Seismic Retrofit for Foundations
SUBSTRUCTURE RETROFIT OF
ALABANG VIADUCT
Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Excavation for Footing Retrofit

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Drilling for Micropiles

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Drilling for Micropiles

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Micropile Installation
Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Installation of Column Steel Jacket

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Coping with FRP and Column with Steel Jacket

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Installation of Column FRP

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Column with Steel Jacket and FRP

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Copings and Columns with FRP

Alabang Viaduct Substructure Retrofit

Columns with Steel Jacket

BRIDGE OVERLOAD RETROFIT

Superstructure
•Concrete slabs
•Girders
60T Ten-Wheeler Truck, Cagayan
Valley Road

Approx. 27T Approx. GVW

axle load 62T
Degree of Overloading
• 27T (actual) vs. 14.7T (design)
27/14.7 = 1.84

• 27T (actual) vs. 11.0T (design tandem)

27/11.0 = 2.48

• 27T (actual) vs. 13.5T (R.A. 8794)

27/13.5 = 2.0
ROADWAY DECK RETROFIT
• Concrete deck slabs rarely require demolition. As
long as concrete has remaining strength of at least
2,000 psi, the slab can still be strengthened.
• Retrofitting is quick and easy with the use of FRP.
• There are three types of FRP.
• The type and amount of FRP used is determined by
design requirements.
• Design requirements is based on degree of
inadequacy of the existing capacity (based on the
tests on the existing structure) against the demand
from the existing loading (including overloading).
Slab Retrofit Using FRP
FRP

Note:
• The retrofitting is done without demolishing
the slab.
• Nor closing (entirely) the bridge to traffic.
• Retrofitting at the top can be done one-lane at
a time.
Top Slab Retrofit Using FRP

Before

After
Bottom Slab Retrofit Using FRP

Before

After
GIRDER RETROFIT
• Girder retrofit is usually needed for RC girders only.
▫ Retrofit for positive moment using longitudinal FRP
▫ Retrofit for shear using U-wrap strips
• Prestressed girders have very high reserve strength
because they are usually designed for allowable
stresses (full prestressed design). Therefore, they
rarely require structural retrofitting.
• Steel girders retrofit is usually restoring the
corroded steel parts only by welding with plates.
RC Girder Retrofit Using FRP

TRANSVERSE
FRP
LONGITUDINAL
TRANSVERSE
FRP FOR POSITIVE
FRP FOR
MOMENT
SHEAR LONGITUDINAL FRP
Girder Retrofit Using FRP

Before After