|
|||||
|
|
Field Investigation on the First Bridge Deck Slab Reinforced with Glass FRP Bars Constructed in Canada |
|
| Authors: | Ehab El-Salakawy Brahim Benmokrane Amr El-Ragaby Dominique Nadeau |
| Affiliation: | 1Research Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1. E-mail: Ehab.Elsalakawy@Usherbrooke.ca 2NSERC Research Chair Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K2R1. E-mail: Brahim.Benmokrane@Usherbrooke.ca 3PhD Candidate, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. 4Structural Engineer, Le Groupe Teknika Inc., Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. |
| Abstract: | Recently, there has been a rapid increase in using noncorrosive fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) reinforcing bars as alternative reinforcement for bridge deck slabs, especially those in harsh environments. A new two-span girder type bridge, Cookshire-Eaton Bridge (located in the municipality of Cookshire, Quebec, Canada), was constructed with a total length of 52.08 m over two equal spans. The deck was a 200-mm-thick concrete slab continuous over four spans of 2.70 m between girders with an overhang of 1.40 m on each side. One full span of the bridge was totally reinforced using glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, while the other span was reinforced with galvanized steel bars. The bridge deck was well instrumented at critical locations for internal temperature and strain data collection using fiber optic sensors. The bridge was tested for service performance using calibrated truckloads as specified by the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. The construction procedure and field test results under actual service conditions revealed that GFRP rebar provides very competitive performance in comparison to steel. |
| Keywords: | Bridge decks Bridges concrete Fiber reinforced materials Glass fibers Field investigations Fiber optics Canada |