Missouri S&T Scholar's Mine Research RepositoryMissouri S&T Research
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Preservation of Missouri Transportation Infrastructure - Validation of FRP Composite Technology Through Field Testing
This project is intended to validate the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials as a means to strengthen existing concrete bridges that are considered structurally deficient. For over a decade, FRP laminates have been used worldwide to strengthen, repair or add ductility to existing concrete bridges and buildings. However, despite all the well-documented benefits of using FRP materials for such applications, including low cost, minimal traffic disruption, and anticipated long-term durability, validation of this technology for bridge retrofit applications on a large scale is required. The project was conducted in Missouri under a joint Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) – University Transportation Center – Private Sector funding initiative. Five existing concrete bridges (see Figures 1 and 2), located in three districts in Missouri, were strengthened using FRP materials. These bridges will be monitored semiannually over five years including repeated load tests. The data, information and understanding from this validation will be used in the drafting of specifications to be written in AASHTO language for future FRP-related bridge-strengthening projects. This field work will focus on non-destructive evaluation (NDE).