Development and Field Testing of an FRP Composite Bridge Deck Comprising of Guard Rail System for Bridge 1480230, Greene County, MO

011529272010Final ReportPDFTech ReportUTC R143, R0001758DTRS98-G-0021 (Grant)Structural supportsBridge decksCarbon fibersFiber reinforced plasticsGuardrailsRetrofittingInspectionBridges and other structuresDesignHighwaysMaintenance and PreservationI24: Design of Bridges and Retaining WallsI61: Equipment and Maintenance MethodsMissouriUnited StatesUniversity Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)Bank, Lawrence C.Galati, NestoreMatta, FabioNanni, AntonioOliva, Michael G.Ringelstetter, Thomas E.Jones, Spencer N.Orr, Brian G.Russell, Jeffrey S.Missouri University of Science and Technology. Center for Infrastructure Engineering StudiesUniversity Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)US Transportation CollectionThe objective of the rehabilitation program of Bridge 1480230 in Springfield, MO in Greene County is to remove the 15 Ton load posting that has been imposed on it. An inspection of the bridge revealed a severely damaged deck in need to be replaced. The structural analysis has demonstrated deficiency in the steel girders as well as possible deficiencies in bents and piers. The rehabilitation plan will consist in the following steps: 1) Replacing the concrete deck using a low weight, high perforce glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite deck; 2) Retrofitting or replacement of existing steel girders (Different solutions will be considered to determine the optimal design in terms of structural performance, durability and cost of the structure. Also the possibility of using carbon FRP composite girders is under investigation allowing to reduce the weight of the superstructure and therefore to avoid the strengthening of bents and piers.); 3) Design of the strengthening of bents and piers if needed; and 4) Developing of an FRP guard rail system ensuring the durability of the entire superstructure and therefore reducing the maintenance costs.The project will include field and laboratory investigations necessary to validate the assumptions to be made for design of the rehabilitation. In addition, sensors will be embedded in the FRP members in order to monitor the structural performances of the bridge over time. The different sensors will be remotely read allowing in such way detecting any possible structural flaw. Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri) will perform a load test after construction to ensure the in-situ structural performance of the bridge and it will perform a five years inspection (one load test per year). It is envisioned that this rehabilitation technique will lead to a design/maintenance protocol for consideration by counties for future applications78