Fiber Reinforced Polymer Culvert Bridges—A Feasibility Study from Structural and LCC Points of View

Soil–steel composite bridges (SSCB) have become increasingly popular for short-span as an alternative to concrete slab mainly due their low initial cost, rapid manufacture, simplified construction, and geometrical adaptability. SSCBs a variety of applications can be used over waterways or roadways. While conventional tend lose load-carrying capacity degradation, gain strength because backfill soil consolidation. However, the load carrying integrity such structures highly depends on condition steel arch element. A major drawback SSCBs, especially those located with poor drainage, is corrosion subsequent loss cross-sectional capacity. Unfortunately, inspection not straightforward any damage/collapse will very costly repair/replace. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites offer attractive replace in these types bridges. FRP significantly improved durability characteristics compared steel, which reduce maintenance costs improve life-cycle (LLCs). This paper presents new concept use glass construction material construct soil–FRP (SFCB). Various aspects design manufacturing are presented along results conclusions from case study involving bridge designs composites.