Title:
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Strengthening of Concrete Bridges that Remain Open to Traffic
Author(s):
Michael W. Reed, Robert W. Barnes, Anton K. Schindler, and Hwan-Woo Lee
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
102
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
823-831
Keywords:
anchorage; bridge; debonding; epoxy; fiber-reinforced concrete; flexural strength
DOI:
10.14359/14790
Date:
11/1/2005
Abstract:
This paper describes a laboratory study of the effects of traffic loads applied during and after strengthening on the performance of a reinforced concrete (RC) bridge strengthened with externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement. Eight beams were tested to failure. Seven of the beams were strengthened with a precured, unidirectional, carbon-fiber laminate strip representative of the material used on the actual bridge. Test variables included the intensity and frequency of load cycles applied during the epoxy-curing period, the thickness of the epoxy layer, and the thickness of the FRP strip. Failure of all strengthened specimens initiated with FRP debonding in the maximum moment region. For all of the traffic load regimens applied during and after installation, no reduction in the effectiveness of the strengthening was observed. Use of ACI 440.2R-02 design recommendations resulted in unconservative predictions of the FRP strain at failure and the strength increase attributable to the FRP.