International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Title: Seismic Rehabilitation of RC Bridges by Using FRP and SRP: Case Study of a Bridge in the South of Italy

Author(s): R. Cuzzilla, M. Di Ludovico, A. Prota and G. Manfredi

Publication: Special Publication

Volume: 277

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-20

Keywords: bridge, bridge belt, FRP, PC, RC, seismic rehabilitation, SRP

Date: 3/1/2011

Abstract:
The paper deals with a rehabilitation case study on a pre-stressed concrete (PC) bridge (named “Torrente Casale”), located in the south of Italy (on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway). The bridge, built in the ’70s, was enlarged in 2001 in order to satisfy the new traffic demand. A seismic assessment of the bridge resulted necessary in order to verify its capacity to sustain both gravity and seismic loads. Both destructive and non-destructive tests have been performed in order to evaluate concrete and steel reinforcement mechanical properties. A theoretical analysis was performed, showing that the bridge piers existing cross section and internal reinforcement were not adequate to satisfy the seismic actions. Thus, two rehabilitation systems were investigated: a) an innovative technique based on the combined use of Fibre Reinforced Polymer laminates (FRP) and Steel Reinforced Polymer spikes (SRP), b) a traditional rehabilitation technique (i.e. RC jacketing). The design assumptions and calculations for the rehabilitation as well as the comparison between the effectiveness of the two investigated strategies are presented and discussed in the paper. The main construction phases of the strengthening technique, executed by following the first outlined strategy are also presented and illustrated.