FRP COMPOSITES TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE AMERICAN BRIDGE BUILDING INDUSTRY

摘要

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the United States Department of Transportation has funded over one hundred demonstration bridge projects using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite technology. This program seeks new and innovative material technologies to build more durable and effective bridges and to extend the service life of the already aging bridge inventory. This paper discusses examples of new bridge construction with FRP bridge decks, hybrid systems, strengthening of existing bridge members for seismic loadings, and repairs using the FRP composites technology. This paper will highlight the advantages and disadvantages, concerns, and future needs to advance the composites technology into the civil infrastructure. The FRP composite's excellent characteristics such as corrosion resistance, high fatigue strength, ease and speed of installation, and light material weight are highly desirable qualities for bridge applications. Long-term durability affecting both the stiffness and strength needs are being monitored. The FHWA is developing a database to capture the performance history, design guidelines and specifications used in these demonstration projects.