Fabrication and Behavior of 3D Orthogonal Woven FRP/Concrete Bridge Deck
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Date
2007-04-24
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Abstract
In recent years, glass fiber reinforced polymer bridge decks have been considered as an alternative to conventional steel and concrete bridge decking. The research presented in this thesis investigated the behavior of an innovative 3-dimensionally woven bridge deck. The proposed bridge decks were woven at a local textile company, using the 3-D capabilities of the company. Typical decks consisted of two skins of E-glass fabric, and each skin consisted of two fabric layers. The fabric was woven with warp, weft, and vertical z-yarns. Additional z-yarns were used to form a longitudinal joint between the skins. Balsa wood cores were inserted between the skins and the entire deck was vacuum infused with an epoxy resin system.
The research included fabrication of two deck panels with appropriate shear connectors to provide composite action with the top concrete slab. The study included a special study to investigate the behavior of three types of shear connector configurations. Modeling of the behavior is based on the test results of the measured material properties. These tests included tensile coupon testing, fiber volume fraction by burn-off method, tensile tests of the steel reinforcement, and compressive strength of the concrete to define the complete stress-strain relationship of the concrete using concrete cylinders. Predictions of the behavior were based on simple flexural member behavior and finite element analysis using ANSYS computer program. A U.S. patent is currently filed for the proposed innovative bridge deck panel.
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Keywords
FRP, fiber composite, bridge deck, GFRP, hybrid, woven
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Degree
MS
Discipline
Civil Engineering
