Title: Flexural Behavior of Hybrid Composite Girders for Bridge Construction

Author(s): A. Elmahdy, R. El-Hacha, and N. Shrive

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 257

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 15-32

Keywords: carbon; composite; epoxy; externally bonded; glass; hollow section; hybrid; steel; ultra-high strength

DOI: 10.14359/20238

Date: 10/1/2008

Abstract:
A continuing goal for the civil engineering industry is the design of lightweight flexural elements with high capacity and high resistance to corrosion. The behavior of hybrid composite hollow-box beams was investigated experimentally and analytically to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of such structural sections as the main flexural members in bridge construction. The section was composed of a glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) pultruded hollow section, reinforced with one layer of steel-reinforced polymer (SRP) sheet or two layers of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheet bonded to the bottom flange to carry the tensile stresses. A 54 mm (2 1/8 in) thin layer of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was cast on top of the section to carry the compressive stresses. In addition to the structural contribution of the GFRP, the box section will act as a permanent stay-in-place form for the concrete. All these materials have superior strength and durability compared to conventional construction materials, so they can be used in much smaller dimensions than traditionally. The materials in the section were assembled using different types of epoxy. Ease of construction and minimum production cost were included in the aims for the system being developed.