Title:
Performance of AASHTO-Type Bridge Model Prestressed with Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement
Author(s):
Nabil Grace, Kenichi Ushijima, Vasant Matsagar, and Chenglin Wu
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
110
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
491-502
Keywords:
AASHTO; carbon fiber composite cable; carbon fiber-reinforced polymer; ductility; fiber-reinforced polymer; flexure; prestress; reinforcement
DOI:
10.14359/51685606
Date:
5/1/2013
Abstract:
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite material has been widely studied and applied in bridge engineering as an alternative solution to the corrosion-related problems posed by steel reinforcement. Nevertheless, adoption of CFRP reinforcement to replace conventional steel reinforcement in highway bridges has not been fully realized yet in the field. Therefore, large-scale experimental investigations on bridges with CFRP reinforcement are essential to encourage its widespread application in highway bridges. This paper presents an experimental investigation conducted on a one-third-scale AASHTO-type bridge model prestressed with carbon fiber composite cable (CFCC) strands. The bridge model was designed, constructed, instrumented, and tested to thoroughly investigate its flexural behavior, strain response, and ultimate load failure. A separate one-third-scale single AASHTO-type I-beam was also constructed and tested to study its flexural and shear behavior as a control beam. In general, both the control beam and the bridge model experienced compression-controlled failure as anticipated. Significant cracking and deflection were experienced prior to failure. The ultimate strength of the control beam and the bridge model were in close agreement with the values estimated using the Unified Design Approach.