Transfer of Composites Technology to Design and Construction of Bridges

摘要

The report presents a summary of an extensive research study on the adaptation of current composites technology to highway bridges. In addition to analytical studies, experimental research was performed on cable applications including prestressed concrete, cable stayed and suspension bridges. The primary conclusions from the research study include the following: (1) Based on current and future projected material costs, glass fibers and polyester matrices appear to be most feasible materials for introduction of composites into the various bridge components; (2) Stiffness rather than strength is the governing criteria for most structural bridge elements; (3) For bridge applications, composites offer significant advantages of lightweight, corrosion resistance, high strength and modular construction; (4) Composites possess several disadvantages including higher initial cost, lack of understanding of composites by the design engineers and a lack of material properties for bridge type loading conditions such as fatigue, creep and environmental factors; (5) Of all the structural bridge components, the deck and cables appear to be the most promising elements for the introduction of composite materials into highway bridge structures.