Title: Bonded and Mechanically Fastened FRP Strengthening Systems: A Case Study

Author(s): A. Lopez, A. Rizzo, N. Galati, and A. Nanni

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 230

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1217-1234

Keywords: bridge; load rating; load testing; manual lay-up CFRP laminates; mechanically fastened CFRP; strengthening

DOI: 10.14359/14890

Date: 10/1/2005

Abstract:
This paper describes a case study addressing analysis, design, installation,load rating, load testing, numerical verification and monitoring of the strengthening ofan old deficient bridge under a field validation research project. The strengthening wasperformed by means of two composite technologies: the common manual lay-up CFRPsystem and a mechanically fastened FRP (MF-FRP) system. The later consisted of pre-cured FRP laminates having high transverse bearing strength (i.e., bidirectional fibers)attached to the structural element by means of wedge anchors. Although considered atemporary solution, the technique is attractive because it requires minimum surfacepreparation. The bridge will be monitored for 5 years to evaluate the long-termperformance of the techniques. In this sense, load tests were performed to evaluatethe bridge structural behavior prior to and after the strengthening, showing that therehabilitation performed as predicted by numerical analysis and therefore created thepossibility to remove the bridge load posting.