Abstract:

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic tendons (CFRP) were used for the first time in Canada to pretension six girders of a concrete highway bridge, built in the city of Calgary, Alberta. The bridge was constructed using 13 T- bulb section pretensioned precast concrete girders in each span. Continuity of the two spans was achieved by using post-tensioned steel tendons extending along the entire length of the bridge. This paper summarizes an experimental program conducted to study the behavior of four pretensioned concrete T-beams of the same span-depth ratio as the bridge girders. The beams were tested to examine the various limit state behaviors, ultimate capacities, and failure modes. Two beams were tested in static, and two were tested under cyclic loading. After completion of 2 million cycles, the beams were loaded to failure to evaluate the effect of fatigue loading on the behavior of the beams. Predicted values based on the compatibility and equilibrium approach, and measured values, are compared and discussed. A ductility model is proposed for beams prestressed by FRP tendons. Design recommendations and construction details of concrete beams prestressed by CFRP tendons are presented.

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