Strength and Serviceability of FRP Grid Reinforced Bridge Decks

The research presented in this paper evaluates the flexural performance of bridge deck panels reinforced with 2D fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) grids. Two different FRP grids were investigated, one reinforced with a hybrid of glass and carbon fibers and a second grid reinforced with carbon fibers only. Laboratory measured load-deflection, load-strain (reinforcement and concrete), cracking, and failure behavior are presented in detail. Conclusions regarding failure mode, limit-state strength, serviceability, and deflection compatibility relative to AASHTO mandated criteria are reported. Test results indicate that bridge decks reinforced with FRP grids will be controlled by serviceability limit state and not limit-state ultimate strength. The low axial stiffness of FRP results in large service load flexural deflections and reduced shear strength. In as much as serviceability limits design, overreinforcement is recommended to control deflection violation. Consequently, limit-state flexural strength will be compression controlled for which reduced service stresses or ACI unified compression failure strength reduction factors are recommended.     

Concrete Slabs Reinforced with FRP Grids. I: One-Way Bending

Currently, considerable interest exists in the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement for concrete structures. Due to the generally lower modulus of elasticity of FRP in comparison with steel and the linear behavior of FRP, certain aspects of the structural behavior of RC members reinforced with FRP may be substantially different from similar elements reinforced with steel reinforcement. In this two-part paper the use of different types of FRP grid reinforcement for concrete slabs is investigated, presenting detailed experimental and analytical work. In the first part, the structural behavior in one-way bending is considered. This paper shows which structural measures are needed to ensure acceptable serviceability behavior. The presented analysis and discussion of test results covers the ultimate state and the ultimate limit state for bending, serviceability limit states, ductility, deformability, and ultimate to service load ratio.     

Reliability-Based Analysis of Strip Footings Using Response Surface Methodology

A reliability-based analysis of a strip foundation subjected to a central vertical load is presented. Both the ultimate and the serviceability limit states are considered. Two deterministic models based on numerical simulations are used. The first one computes the ultimate bearing capacity of the foundation and the second one calculates the footing displacement due to an applied load. The response surface methodology is utilized for the assessment of the Hasofer–Lind reliability indexes. Only the soil shear strength parameters are considered as random variables while studying the ultimate limit state. Also, the randomness of only the soil elastic properties is taken into account in the serviceability limit state. The assumption of uncorrelated variables was found to be conservative in comparison to the one of negatively correlated variables. The failure probability of the ultimate limit state was highly influenced by the variability of the angle of internal friction. However, for the serviceability limit state, the accurate determination of the uncertainties of the Young's modulus was found to be very important in obtaining reliable probabilistic results. Finally, the computation of the system failure probability involving both ultimate and serviceability limit states was presented and discussed.     

Simplified Methodology for the Evaluation of the Residual Strength of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beams

Steel corrosion in reinforced concrete (RC) structures leads to change of steel mechanical properties, longitudinal cracking in the concrete cover, and other related effects that weaken the serviceability and load capacity of the composites. It is therefore extremely important to have methods targeted to the evaluation of the structural damage induced by corrosion for estimating the residual load capacity of a structure, and then for inspection procedures and strengthening the maintenance interventions. This paper presents a simplified methodology capable of providing estimates of the residual life of corroded RC beams. The proposed method uses damaged material properties, and accounts for the length of partial corrosion and the amount of corrosion, concrete loss and change of bond strength within this specified length. A comparison of the model predictions with the experimental results published in the literature shows the validity of the model. It is also concluded that the ultimate flexural moment of corroded RC beam will not significantly influenced by the partially corroded or unbonded length and the bond characteristics over this partial length as long as the tensile steel of the beam can reach its yield strength. In addition, although complete loss of bond over the partial length is assumed to asses the residual strength of corrosion-damaged RC beam, neglecting the influence of bond strength within the corroded length may lead to underestimate the ultimate flexural capacity of the damaged beam, especially when the corrosion level of tensile steel of the RC beam is not very high.     

Probabilistic Assessment of Concrete Structure Durability under Reinforcement Corrosion Attack

In the context of performance-based approaches, sustainability and whole life costing, the concrete structure durability issue has recently gained considerable attention. The present paper deals with service life assessment using durability limit states specialized for concrete structures. Both initiation and propagation periods of reinforcement corrosion are considered and a comprehensive choice of limit states is provided. The approach is based on degradation modeling and probabilistic assessment, enabling the evaluation of service life and the relevant reliability level, serving thus to facilitate the effective decision making of designers and clients. For this purpose the selected analytical models for degradation assessment are randomized and appropriate software has been developed. Three numerical examples are presented: a comparison of modeled carbonation depth with in situ measurements on a cooling tower, and analyses of crack initiation due to corrosion and loss of reinforcement cross section.     

Critical Review of Deflection Formulas for FRP-RC Members

The design of fiber-reinforced polymer reinforced concrete (FRP-RC) is typically governed by serviceability limit state requirements rather than ultimate limit state requirements as conventional reinforced concrete is. Thus, a method is needed that can predict the expected service load deflections of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced members with a reasonably high degree of accuracy. Nine methods of deflection calculation, including methods used in ACI 440.1R-03, and a proposed new formula in the next issue of this design guide, CSA S806-02 and ISIS M03-01, are compared to the experimental deflection of 197 beams and slabs tested by other investigators. These members are reinforced with aramid FRP, glass FRP, or carbon FRP bars, have different reinforcement ratios, geometric and material properties. All members were tested under monotonically applied load in four point bending configuration. The objective of the analysis in this paper is to determine a method of deflection calculation for FRP RC members, which is the most suitable for serviceability criteria. The analysis revealed that both the modulus of elasticity of FRP and the relative reinforcement ratio play an important role in the accuracy of the formulas.     

Time-Dependent Reliability of PSC Box-Girder Bridge Considering Creep, Shrinkage, and Corrosion

Bridge performance undergoes time-varying changes when exposed to aggressive environments. While much work has been done on bridge reliability under corrosion, little is known about the effects of creep and shrinkage on the reliability of concrete bridges. In this paper, the CEB-FIP model for creep and shrinkage is applied by using finite-element (FE) analysis in conjunction with probabilistic considerations. Verification is made by comparing the analytical findings with existing test data. More specifically, a time-dependent reliability assessment is made for a composite prestressed concrete (PSC) box-girder bridge exposed to a chloride environment. This realized via an advanced probabilistic FE method. The postcracking behavior of the thin-walled box girder is described using composite degenerated shell elements, and importance sampling is used to improve the efficiency of the reliability analyses. It is shown that concrete creep and shrinkage dominate during the early stages of bridge structure deterioration. This is accompanied by a decrease in reliability owing to the combined action of creep, shrinkage, and corrosion. The reliability indexes for the serviceability and the tendon yielding limit state fall below the target levels prior to the expected service life. Therefore, early maintenance and/or repair measures are required.     

Finite-Element Analysis of Chemical Transport and Reinforcement Corrosion-Induced Cracking in Variably Saturated Heterogeneous Concrete

Reinforcement corrosion owing to chemical attack could lead to premature steel-mortar debonding, concrete cracking, and catastrophic failure of structures if not well attended. In conventional design and maintenance practices, heterogeneous concrete matrix is commonly treated as a homogeneous medium when the evolution of chemical ingress and concrete cracking need to be determined. Such oversimplification has caused significantly inaccurate prediction and evaluation of structural service life. This paper presents a finite-element (FE) model developed to evaluate the service life of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in three key steps: chemical ingress, steel corrosion, and concrete cracking. The mass conservation principle is employed in the first step to model the ingress of multiple chemical species into variably saturated heterogeneous concrete matrix. By using Faraday’s law, steel corrosion and the incurred diametric expansion are then formulated as a transient displacement boundary condition for subsequent analysis of concrete cracking. The cracking pattern of concrete under the expansion force of corrosion products is finally characterized by using a cohesive-fracture approach. The FE model is validated with laboratory experiments.     

Performance Evaluation of Deteriorating Highway Bridges Located in High Seismic Areas

This paper studies the life-cycle performance and cost of reinforced concrete highway bridges subjected to earthquake ground motions while they are continuously exposed to the attack of chloride ions. The penetration of chloride ions into the concrete is simulated through a finite difference approach that takes into account all the parameters that can affect the corrosion process. From simulation results, the corrosion initiation time is predicted, and the extent of structural degradation is calculated over the entire life of the bridge. A group of detailed bridge models with various structural attributes are developed to evaluate the changes in the structural capacity and seismic response of corroded bridges. For the purpose of the probabilistic seismic risk assessment of bridges, the seismic fragility curves are generated and updated at regular time intervals. The time-dependent fragility parameters are employed to investigate the life-cycle cost of bridges by introducing a performance index that combines the effects of probable seismic events and chloride-induced corrosion. The proposed approach provides a multihazard framework that leads to more realistic performance and cost estimates.     

Design Guidelines of FRP Reinforced Concrete Building Structures

The “Design Guidelines of FRP Reinforced Concrete Building Structures” was established in 1993 as one of the final outputs of the research committee on fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) reinforced concrete building structures organized under the Japanese Ministry of Construction's research and development project titled: “Effective Use of Advanced Construction Materials (1988–92).” These Guidelines are a translation of the Japanese guidelines. They describe the design concept for nonprestressed concrete structures reinforced with FRP rebars, and the calculation equations are all relegated to the commentaries due to lack of design data on FRP reinforced concrete structures. A limit-state design method has been adopted under the guidelines. Among the subjects covered are overview, design method, materials, loads and combination, stress and deformation, ultimate state design, serviceability state design, structural requirement, and testing methods for the tensile strength and bond strength of materials. “The Design Guidelines for FRP Prestressed Concrete Members” is separate from these guidelines.     

Test and Analysis for Ultimate Load-Carrying Capacity of Existing Reinforced Concrete Arch Ribs

The structural performance of reinforced concrete bridges gradually deteriorates due to material aging and concrete cracking. Reported here are the experimental investigations and the nonlinear finite-element analysis of two arch ribs removed from a decommissioned bridge and reinstalled in the laboratory. The old bridge had been in service for 28 years. The full-scale static tests for two arch ribs were performed. The load–displacement and load–strain relationships, the residual load-carrying capacity, and the failure form are explored in detail. The structural analysis software Marc is invoked in the theoretical computations. Both geometrical and material nonlinearities are considered. Moreover, the material aging and the structural damage are introduced in the finite-element model. For comparison, the undamaged and geometrically perfect arch rib is analyzed at the same time. A comparison between the experimental and theoretical results is made. It can be concluded that the initial cracks, the reinforcement corrosion, and the variation of the arch axial line shape are the crucial effects for the structural ultimate load-carrying capacity and failure mode.     

Dynamic Racking Crescendo Tests on Architectural Glass Fitted with Anchored Pet Film

Results are presented of a pilot study conducted recently at the Pennsylvania State University Building Envelope Research Laboratory (BERL) to investigate the response of curtain wall mock-ups glazed with 6 mm (? in.) annealed monolithic architectural glass panels fitted with anchored applied film under simulated earthquake conditions. Three common film-to-frame anchoring methods were evaluated: (1) structural silicone adhesive [13 mm (? in.) triangular cross section] application along the entire glass panel perimeter; (2) an aluminum bar extrusion to anchor the film to the frame horizontal along only the top of the glass panel; and (3) two aluminum bar extrusions to anchor the film to the frame verticals along the two vertical edges of the glass panel. Serviceability (glass cracking) and ultimate (glass fallout) limit-state data were collected during in-plane dynamic racking tests. Other performance characteristics, such as cohesive failure of the structural silicone adhesive, loss of film-to-glass adhesion, film tearing, damage to aluminum anchor bars, pullout of the filmed glass unit from the frame glazing pockets, and eventual entire unit fallout, were also recorded. These preliminary tests indicated that anchorage type can demonstrably influence both the serviceability (initial glass cracking) and ultimate (glass fragment fallout and entire unit fallout) limit states of “unweathered” filmed glass panels. In this study, the structural silicone anchor provided the best serviceability limit-state performance of the three anchor methods tested, and the top anchor provided the best entire-unit glass fallout resistance.     

In-Situ Evaluation of Two Concrete Slab Systems. II: Evaluation Criteria and Outcomes

The primary objective of in-situ load testing is to evaluate the safety and serviceability of an existing structural system with respect to a particular load condition and effect. In light of technological advances in construction methods, analytical tools and monitoring instrumentation, new different evaluation criteria are being proposed in addition to different in-situ load test methods. Some criteria may be more appropriate than others based on the expected damage and failure mechanisms of the structure being considered. The companion paper describes the rationale and application of both a consolidated and an alternative approach to the determination of load level, loading procedure and instrumentation requirements for two case studies. This paper discusses in detail the evaluation criteria and outcomes of these two field projects consisting of a posttensioned concrete slab with structural deficiencies due to tendon and mild reinforcement misplacement and a floor bay of a two-way reinforced concrete slab showing cracking at the positive and negative moment regions. After discussing the relative merits of the evaluation methodologies and the significance of their respective acceptance thresholds, concepts for the development of a new global criterion are discussed.     

Flexural Behavior and Deformability of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Prestressed Concrete Beams

After a brief review of the ductility and deformability indices currently used in the design of concrete beams reinforced or prestressed with steel or fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tendons, a new definition of a deformability index (factor) for prestressed concrete beams is proposed. The new factor is defined in terms of both a deflection factor and a strength factor. The deflection factor is the ratio of the deflection at failure to the deflection at first cracking, while the strength factor is the ratio of the ultimate moment (or load) to the cracking moment (or load). The proposed deformability factor is verified not only by test results obtained by the writer, but also by other test results available in the literature and it appears to be a suitable measurement of the deformability of concrete beams prestressed with either FRP tendons or steel tendons.     

Experimental Response and Code Modelsof GFRP RC Beams in Bending

The use of composite materials in structural engineering is recent, and researchers need to investigate their behavioral features. Design criteria and methods have to be redefined, and several countries have already established design procedures specifically for fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) use. Generally the proposed code modifications are conservative and the strength capacity of FRP materials is not efficiently used. This limitation is due to the low number of experimental tests on concrete structures reinforced with FRP bars. In this paper, experimental tests on beams reinforced with glass FRP bars are presented and discussed. Significant features of the structural behavior are pointed out regarding curvature, deflection, and crack spacing and width. Furthermore the verifications at ultimate and serviceability conditions are analyzed. Code formulations for deflection and crack width calculation are examined considering the American Concrete Institute and the Eurocode 2 approaches.     

Probabilistic Analysis of Circular Tunnels in Homogeneous Soil Using Response Surface Methodology

A probabilistic analysis of a shallow circular tunnel driven by a pressurized shield in a frictional and/or cohesive soil is presented. Both the ultimate limit state (ULS) and serviceability limit state (SLS) are considered in the analysis. Two deterministic models based on numerical simulations are used. The first one computes the tunnel collapse pressure and the second one calculates the maximal settlement due to the applied face pressure. The response surface methodology is utilized for the assessment of the Hasofer-Lind reliability index for both limit states. Only the soil shear strength parameters are considered as random variables while studying the ULS. However, for the SLS, both the shear strength parameters and Young’s modulus of the soil are considered as random variables. For ULS, the assumption of uncorrelated variables was found conservative in comparison to the one of negatively correlated parameters. For both ULS and SLS, the assumption of nonnormal distribution for the random variables has almost no effect on the reliability index for the practical range of values of the applied pressure. Finally, it was found that the system reliability depends on both limit states. Notice however that the contribution of ULS to the system reliability was not significant. Thus, SLS can be used alone for the assessment of the tunnel reliability.     

基于3参数Weibull分布钢筋混凝土盐腐蚀环境中可靠性寿命分析

为研究钢筋混凝土在耦合盐环境中的腐蚀劣化规律及寿命分布,将钢筋混凝土试件置于0.32 mol·L?1 NaCl和0.4 mol·L?1 MgSO₄盐溶液中,利用电化学工作站定期无损检测,以极化曲线、交流阻抗图谱及电化学参数指标进行耐久性分析,选择3参数Weibull进行可靠性建模,通过Anderson-Darling法（A-D）进行先验假设检验,采用相关系数优化法(CCOM)、极大似然法(MLM)及矩估计法(MEM)进行参数估计,综合可靠度曲线、密度曲线、失效率曲线对钢筋混凝土在氯盐、硫酸盐、镁盐腐蚀环境中的寿命进行分析,研究结果表明:腐蚀离子综合作用下,极化曲线逐渐向腐蚀电流密度增大和负电位方向移动,交流阻抗图谱不断左移并向阻抗实部收缩,钢筋锈蚀发生的阻力逐渐减小,概率逐渐增大。可靠性寿命曲线初期保持不变,后期加速下降,密度曲线呈单峰对称状,失效率曲线初始基本保持不变,后期线性增加。3种参数估计方法中,CCOM和MLM参数估计值相近且稳定准确,所得可靠性寿命曲线相似,MEM参数估计值误差较大,对于钢筋混凝土加速试验得到的小样本失效数据建议用CCOM和MLM进行参数估计,并进行可靠性寿命分析。C35钢筋混凝土在硫酸镁及氯化钠腐蚀环境中的可靠性寿命周期约为760 d。      

Ductility Evaluation of Concrete-Encased Steel Bridge Piers Subjected to Lateral Cyclic Loading

An experimental and analytical study was conducted to investigate the ductility of concrete-encased steel piers, referred to as “steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) construction.” Based on the cyclic lateral loading tests of SRC column specimens, the restorable and ultimate limit states are defined as the point when concrete cover spalling occurs (equivalent to longitudinal bar buckling) and the point when flange buckling of the H-shaped steel occurs, respectively. To estimate the lateral displacement capacity at both the restorable and ultimate limit states, the curvature distribution of the column was calculated based on the buckling analysis of the longitudinal bar, which was restrained by a concrete cover and transverse reinforcement, and of the steel flange encased in concrete. The lateral displacement was obtained by integrating the curvature distribution. Comparison of the computed results with experimental results, including other writers’ reports, confirmed that the proposed method can appropriately estimate the lateral displacement at the restorable and ultimate limit states, and it can accurately evaluate the buckling characteristics of the longitudinal bar and steel flange components of SRC column specimens.     

Longitudinal Cracking Distress on Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) initiated a failure investigation to determine the distress mechanisms causing premature longitudinal cracking on continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) on several Illinois interstates. The longitudinal cracking approximately followed the embedded reinforcement steel and occurred in both the driving and passing lanes. In this paper, the results from field visual surveys, coring, and petrographic analyses are reported along with a review of archival construction and material records of the distressed CRCP sections. A laboratory forensic study was also performed on several field extracted slabs. The results of the field and laboratory investigation show the cracking was not initiated by steel corrosion, deleterious reactions in the concrete materials, or an inadequate structural design. Rather, the cracking is related to settlement of the steel bars in the concrete. Settlement cracking is conventionally thought to occur only in concrete slabs and decks with plastic (high slump) concrete and small values of bar cover depth, while the studied CRCP sections have large values of cover depth and were cast with stiff (low slump) concrete. The settlement was likely caused by the relative settlement of heavy steel bars (22?mm diameter) within the lower density concrete during the original CRCP construction. The technique of placing the steel bars in the fresh concrete (called tube-feeding) further contributed to the development of this distress, and this practice is no longer employed by IDOT.     

Effects of Mixed Corrosion, Freeze-Thaw Cycles, and Persistent Loads on Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beams

The effects of mixed corrosion and freeze-thaw cycles on the mechanical properties of concrete prism specimens and the effects of mixed corrosion, freeze-thaw cycles, and persistent loads on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams were experimentally studied. A mixed solution of NaCl and Na2SO4 was used as a corrosive medium. Results show that under alternating actions of freeze-thaw and mixed corrosive agents, increasing the number of freeze-thaw cycles decreases the compressive strength and the elastic modulus of concrete and increases the compressive strain corresponding to the maximum compressive stress. The degradation of concrete material properties accelerates with the increase of water-cement ratio. For reinforced concrete beams, a 4% reduction in the loading capacity is found when these are subjected to freeze-thaw cycles and mixed corrosion only. However, if these actions are coupled with persistent loading, as expected during the service life of reinforced concrete structures in cold regions, a more rapid drop in the strength and deformation capacity of the beams is identified. The degradation is enhanced by a larger persistent-loading ratio. The significance of an accurate simulation of service conditions in the durability study of reinforced concrete structures in cold regions is highlighted.