Behavior of Double-Tee Beam Concrete Bridge Model Prestressed with Carbon FiberComposite (CFC) Cables

摘要

The investigation was conducted to establish the feasibility of using CarbonFiber Composite (CFC) cables as reinforcing/prestressing elements in concrete bridge structures. Flexure, shear and fatigue load tests were performed on single Double-Tree beams, together with service load behavior, fatigue strength and ultimate load capacity tests on a half scale model Double-Tree beam bridge system prestressed with CFC cables. Based on the fatigue and flexural strength tests on Double-Tee beams, the bond between CFRP tendons and concrete is satisfactory. The Double-Tee bridge system exhibited good fatigue resistance and adequate ductility under ultimate load conditions. The ultimate load capacity of the bridge is approximately three time the service load corresponding to two HS20-44 trucks and equals 2.4 times the first crack load. Finite element analyses were carried out to predict elastic deformations and collapse load of the Double-Tee bridge prestressed with CFC cables. Feasibility of applicaiton of CFC cables in bridge structures is assessed based on the experimental and analytical parameters such as deflections, strains, crack distributions and crack widths.