Title: Improving the Durability of Coastal Bridges with CFRP Prestressed Cored Slabs

Author(s): Griffith Shapack, Zachary Van Brunt, Rudolf Seracino, Gregory Lucier, Sami Rizkalla, and Mohammad Pour-Ghaz

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 322

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 15.1-15.20

Keywords: Bridges; FRP; Deterioration; Prestressed Concrete; Corrosion; Cored Slabs

DOI: 10.14359/51706966

Date: 6/18/2018

Abstract:
Steel prestressed cored slab superstructures are a common structural system for multi-span bridges in coastal North Carolina. However, due to the aggressive marine environment several such bridges are in need of major repairs or replacement after being in service for little more than 40 years. To address this issue two research projects were undertaken in parallel. The first project involved a critical assessment of non-destructive evaluation techniques in an attempt to predict the extent of corrosion deterioration and hence, the residual strength of cored slabs from existing bridges. Twelve cored slabs taken from two in-service bridges scheduled for superstructure replacement were tested to failure in the laboratory to validate residual strength predictions. The second project involved the design, manufacture and testing of a full-scale CFRP prestressed cored slab reinforced with GFRP stirrups, and a typical steel prestressed cored slab control specimen. The results of the destructive laboratory testing enabled validation of the prediction of the flexural performance and strength of CFRP prestressed cored slabs relative to existing design recommendations. Direct comparison to the new steel prestressed control cored slab and similar existing cored slabs with varying degrees of deterioration from the first the research project was also undertaken.