Title: Design and Driving Performance of Two GFRP-Reinforced Concrete Piles

Author(s): Roberto Rodriguez, Vanessa Benzecry, Steven Nolan, and Antonio Nanni

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 356

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 152-169

Keywords: precast piles; reinforced concrete; FRP reinforcement; coastal construction; field performance

DOI: 10.14359/51737269

Date: 10/1/2022

Abstract:
Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars show promise as a non-corrosive reinforcement alternative for coastal marine applications. Designers are reluctant to use new material systems without guidance or case studies demonstrating successful implementation. For the case of precast concrete piles, the current practice is prestressing with carbon steel strands. In this paper, a seawall replacement project in South Florida allowed for the demonstration of the use of reinforced concrete (RC) piles using GFRP bars and spirals. The field performance of the GFRP-RC piling system was validated by collecting data during driving by means of a pile driving analyzer (PDA). The measured internal stresses in the pile were compared with code requirements and concrete compressive strength determined from laboratory tests. The structural design used for these GFRP-RC piles and field-collected data on pile resistance, stresses, and integrity is presented and discussed in this paper.