The overarching goal of this study was to perform a comprehensive evaluation of various issues related to the strength and serviceability of the FRP deck panels that are available in the industry. Specific objectives were to establish critical limit states to be considered in the design of FRP deck panel, to provide performance specifications to designers, and to develop evaluation techniques for the deck panels in service. Two different FRP panels were studied during the research project: a sandwich panel and a pultruded panel. The sandwich panel was initially selected for the rehabilitation case study bridge. However, for a variety of reasons outside of the scope of this study, both the sandwich panel and the initial case study bridge were dropped from consideration. A new case study bridge was selected, and new proposals from FRP deck manufacturers were solicited. At that time, the pultruded deck was selected. Analysis and experimental results related to both FRP deck panels are included in this report, as information from both decks is relevant to the overarching goal of this study. In November 2009, Sugar Creek Bridge became the first bridge in Indiana to be rehabilitated with an FRP bridge deck. An extensive study, including literature review, analysis, and load tests, suggest that the installed deck should perform well, with web buckling as the ultimate failure mode at a factor of safety of 5. Deflection limits, generally an issue with FRP decks, are satisfied with the installed deck. Meanwhile, some combination of acoustic emission methods, infrared thermography and a newly developed traveling truck deflection method show promise for non-destructive evaluation of the deck in-situ and identification of damage such as delamination of the wearing surface or web buckling. However, such methods have shown variability and could be prohibitively labor-intensive. Therefore, further evaluation is needed if such methods are to be pursued.

This book presents the analysis and design of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks, which have been increasingly implemented in rehabilitation projects and new construction due to their reduced weight, lower maintenance costs, and enhanced durability. It compiles the necessary information, based primarily on research by the authors, to facilitate the development of standards and guidelines for using FRP decks in bridge designs. The book combines analytical models, numerical analyses, and experimental investigations, which can be applied to various design formulations. It also, for the first time, offers a complete set of design guidelines.

Abstract: The primary objective of this chapter is first to introduce and demonstrate the application of thermoplastic (woven glass reinforced polypropylene) in the design of modular fiber-reinforced bridge decks, and next the development of jackets for confining concrete columns against compression and impact loading. The design concept and manufacturing processes of the thermoplastic bridge deck composite structural system are presented by recognizing the structural demands required to support highway traffic. Then the results of the small-scale static cylinder tests and the impact tests of concrete columns are presented, demonstrating that thermoplastic reinforcement jackets act to restrain the lateral expansion of the concrete that accompanies the onset of crushing, maintaining the integrity of the core concrete, and enabling much higher compression strains (compared to CFRP composite wraps) to be sustained by the compression zone before failure occurs.

This book examines current issues of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in civil infrastructure. The contents of this book are divided into two parts. The first part engages topics related to durability and service life of FRP composites and how they contribute to sustainability. The second part highlights implementation and applications of the FRP composites with an emphasis on bridge structures. An introductory chapter provides an overview of FRP composites and its role in a sustainable built environment highlighting the issues of durability and service life followed by a current review of sustainability in infrastructure design.​

Wide-flanged concrete girders are increasingly being used for highway bridges in Wisconsin. The objective of this research was to understand the state of the art of non-metallic SIP forms and to develop design guidelines and performance specifications that can be used locally for the construction of highway bridge decks. Four major types of stay-in-place (SIP) forms using fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) or fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials were investigated: fiber reinforcements, grid reinforcements, bar reinforcements and pultruded profiles. The results were used to develop a model design and construction specification for non-structural, non-metallic, SIP forms in highway bridge decks.