Testing FRP Bridge Decks

摘要

The paper suggests a protocol for qualifying bridge deck systems based onexperience obtained during a Federal Highway funded Highways for LIFE project thatwas completed in 2013. A full range of qualification tests was conducted, starting withcharacterization of materials at the coupon level, then subcomponent testing of custompultruded tubes, mechanical testing of full scale structural panels in a laboratory, fireexposure, followed by service-critical details that included panel-to-panel field joints,connections to the bridge superstructure, railing attachment, and durability of thewearing surface. After installation on a bridge, load testing was done to evaluate thesystem as a whole, then, after three years of service, observations were made based onperformance under actual operational and environmental conditions.Good correlation was obtained between the global finite element model analysis andthe behavior of the as-built structure. Observations of unanticipated opening of thecenterline field joint after an exceptionally cold winter indicate that a more detailedthermal analysis may be necessary to provide a model that accurately predicts jointbehavior during seasonal thermal cycling.