Strength and ductility of CFRP strengthened highway PC girders: An fem investigation

T. Bai, B. Yan, H. Ataei, R. Aboutaha

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Increase in traffic volume and load on highway bridges requires replacement of the bridge superstructure or adoption of a structural strengthening system. Strengthening of existing prestressed concrete bridges with conventional construction materials results in an increase in dead load. In addition, it may also result in decrease in bridge clearance. The use of Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is considered a practical alternative for flexural strengthening of prestressed concrete bridge girders. However, the effectiveness of the CFRP depends on several factors, which have not been quantified well. AASHTO type II prestressed girder is one of the most popular girders carrying highway bridge decks, in the U.S.A. This paper presents a finite element analysis of CFRP strengthened AASHTO type II prestressed girder. Several variables were investigated: concrete strength, ratio of prestressing strands, and ratio of CFRP composites. For CFRP strengthened PC girders, the results of this investigation suggest that for the same amount of CFRP, the lower the ratio of prestressing strands, the higher the percentage increase in flexural strength. In addition, strengthened girders exhibit comparable ductility as un-strengthened PC girders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 8th International Conference on Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering, CICE 2016
EditorsJ.G. Dai, J.G. Teng
PublisherDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Pages307-312
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9789881448026
StatePublished - 2016
Event8th International Conference on Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering, CICE 2016 - Hong Kong, China
Duration: Dec 14 2016Dec 16 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 8th International Conference on Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering, CICE 2016

Other

Other8th International Conference on Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering, CICE 2016
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong
Period12/14/1612/16/16

Keywords

  • CFRP composites
  • Finite element analysis
  • Flexural strength
  • Highway bridges
  • Prestressed girders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Polymers and Plastics

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