Title:
Fatigue Behavior of Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders Strengthened with Various CFRP Systems
Author(s):
O.A. Rosenboom and S.H. Rizkalla
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
230
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
597-612
Keywords:
bridge girder; externally bonded; fatigue behavior; fiber reinforced polymers; flexural behavior; near surface mounted; prestressed; strengthening
DOI:
10.14359/14856
Date:
10/1/2005
Abstract:
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) materials provide a solution for theclassical challenge facing bridge maintenance engineers: the upgrading of bridgeswhose service life has been exceeded but due to evolving demands must stay inservice. Of particular concern are rural short span prestressed concrete bridges thatmay be required to carry loads above the initial design value. The CFRP strengtheningsystems presented in this paper have the potential to increase the ultimate capacity ofsuch bridge girders. This research project is aimed at investigating the fatigueperformance of CFRP strengthening systems for prestressed concrete bridge girders.Five 9.14 meter prestressed concrete bridge girders were tested under fatigue loadingconditions: one as a control specimen and four strengthened with various CFRPsystems including near surface mounted (NSM) bars and strips, and externally bondedsheets and strips. Results show that CFRP strengthened prestressed concrete bridgegirders can withstand over two million cycles of fatigue loading equivalent to a 20percent increase in live load with little degradation.