Missouri S&T Scholar's Mine Research RepositoryMissouri S&T Research
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FRP Internal Reinforcement Systems for Concrete Deck and Rail: Field Application
The impact of economic and social costs typically associated with bridge replacement presents the need to develop structural systems that can be rapidly installed, in addition to providing adequate durability under harsh environmental and loading conditions. Recent extensive research and development work funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) demonstrated the feasibility of using large-scale, pultruded Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) panels as stay-in-place (SIP) formwork and internal reinforcement for the rapid construction of corrosion-free concrete bridge decks. The technology was successfully implemented in a pilot field application in the U.S. This document summarizes the preliminary study for the application of a new GFRP SIP reinforcement system in the replacement of the superstructure of a slab-on-girder bridge located in Greene County, MO. To complement the deck system, a modified open-post Kansas Corral Rail internally reinforced with GFRP bars was designed. Figure 1 provides an overview of the FRP reinforcement strategies adopted. The design approach is introduced herein. Experimental validation of the design assumptions represents a critical step in the transition of an innovative solution from the laboratory to a field application, and will be undertaken as the following task.