Inspection and Evaluation of a Bridge Deck Partially Reinforced with GFRP Rebars;Final rept

摘要

The corrosion of steel can be a significant problem in bridge decks in which the reinforcing and prestressing steel are accessible to deicing salts and combinations of moisture, temperature and chlorides through cracks, leading to concrete deterioration and loss of serviceability. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) rebars have emerged as one alternative to steel reinforcement in corrosive environments. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cracks formed on a bridge deck that is partially reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars. The bridge constructed in 1997 is in Bourbon County, KY, on US460 over the Rogers' Creek. It's deck is partially reinforced with GFRP rebars in place of epoxy coated steel rebars. The bridge has been monitored for cracks over a period of two years from June 1998 to July 2000. The maximum measured crack width of 0.013 in (0.3 mm) in the GFRP reinforced section meets the maximum allowed by ACI (Section 10.6) and AASHTO (Section 8.16.8.4) specifications in steel reinforced structures for exterior exposure.