Investigation of Frp Materials for Bridge Construction

The research program consists of a series of investigations in the field and in the laboratory. First, four short-span bridges are installed so as to outline the construction-related issues associated with the use of these materials. The bridges are located in a residential area of St. James, Missouri and each bridge utilizes FRP materials in a slightly different way, demonstrating the versatility of the materials. Second, in-situ load tests of the constructed bridges illustrate the behavior of the overall structures, both in terms of panel behavior and installation details (e.g., panel-to-panel connections). Moreover, as load tests are conducted over time, examination of the bridges’ long-term performance under real environmental conditions becomes possible. Finally, the third investigative series deals with the laboratory characterization of these materials as reinforcement in concrete and as bridge panels. In each case, the overall panel behavior is investigated in addition to characterizing the individual materials.