Title: Accelerated Bond and Durability Testing of FRPs for Bridge Applications

Author(s): R. Sen and M. Shahawy

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 143

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 297-314

Keywords: accelerated tests; bond; bridges (structures); carbon; concretes; cracking (fracturing); durability; fiber reinforced plastics; fibers; pretensioning; temperature; tests; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/4319

Date: 5/1/1994

Abstract:
The design life of bridge structures is typically 50 years. As highway authorities increasingly consider using fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) to replace steel in reinforced or prestressed concrete structures exposed to aggressive environments, it becomes imperative to develop accelerated test procedures for assessing long-term performance. While acceleration principles for determining long-term material properties, e.g., creep rupture or relaxation, are well known, no similar principles have yet been formulated for determining properties that relate to the interaction between FRP and concrete, such as bond. This is of vital importance since material durability alone cannot guarantee satisfactory performance in concrete. Paper presents a rationale for conducting accelerated tests to evaluate the long-term bond and durability characteristics of pretensioned FRPs used in bridge applications. The principles enunciated are based on recent research findings that have been translated into test setups currently being used to evaluate the long-term performance of pretensioned aramid fiber reinforced plastic (AFRP) and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) elements exposed to a marine environment. Preliminary results obtained are quite encouraging and appear to confirm the validity of the approach used. The experimental study is scheduled to end in 1995.