01514874

Component

Strengthening existing bridge structures instead of the more expensive replacement alternative has become a more feasible choice for many aging bridges. This led to research efforts for developing new strengthening methods and for exploring the use of new materials such as Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites that continue to gain popularity. Successful use of FRP relies on understanding its behavior and being able to confidently assess its properties. Mechanical properties are normally assessed by testing random samples. There are two commonly used statistical methods for estimating mechanical properties of FRP: The first method is recommended by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) in publications produced by Committee 440, while the other is adopted by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in the ASTM D7290 standard. In this study, tensile and flexural tests are conducted on different FRP composite materials for the purpose of investigating the differences between these two methods. The experimental results are complemented with simulations of virtual specimens. The experimental and simulation results are then used to estimate the material properties following both characterization methods and to conduct comparisons between both methods. Results showed that both characterization methods yield consistent results for materials with coefficient of variation (COV) under 12%, whereas the ACI characterization method results in more conservative estimates in comparison with ASTM’s results for materials with high inherent variability. It is recommended that code committees address this issue to avoid unnecessary conservatism.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFF80 Structural Fiber Reinforced Polymers.

01503729

14-3048

English

19p

2014

Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Bridge design; Composite materials; Fiber reinforced polymers; Flexural strength; Mechanical properties; Structural strengthening; Tensile strength

American Concrete Institute; American Society for Testing and Materials

Coefficient of variation

Bridges and other structures; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2014 Paper #14-3048

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 3:03PM