Strengthening of a Steel Bridge Girder Using CFRP Plates

For bridge owners faced with a rising number of structurally deficient steel bridges, the rehabilitation of steel girders using advanced composite materials offers an attractive solution for short-term retrofit or long-term rehabilitation. Several laboratory studies conducted at the University of Delaware have shown that carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates can be used to effectively strengthen steel bridge girders. Initial studies focused on several issues including the effect on global stiffness and strength, bond force transfer and development, and environmental and fatigue durability of the CFRP∕steel bond. Once the feasibility of the strengthening procedure had been thoroughly examined, strengthening of an existing steel bridge girder was performed. This paper reviews the research conducted to date, and presents details of a demonstration of this technology performed on a bridge located on Interstate 95 in Newark, Del.