Mathematical solution for carbon fiber-reinforced polymer prestressed concrete skew bridges

A mathematical solution for concrete skew bridges prestressed using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) tendons is discussed in this paper. The dev eloped solution is based on a chosen-form series function in which the brid ge is assumed to behave as an orthotropic plate. Membrane theory is also in tegrated in the mathematical solution in order to simulate the effect of in ternal and external prestressing forces. The effects of prestressing forces in the longitudinal and transverse directions are taken into consideration . Flexural and torsional rigidity formulas are derived and implemented in t he solution. From this mathematical solution, deflections, induced stresses , and strains during various stages of construction can be predicted. To substantiate the validity of the developed mathematical method, results are compared to those obtained by finite element analysis, using ABAQUS sof tware, and experimental method. The experimental part of this research incl uded the construction of two double-T (DT) prestressed concrete bridge mode ls. The first model was a right angle bridge, whereas the second model was a skew bridge. CFRP prestressing rods were used as internal and externally draped tendons. Comparing the results of the developed mathematical treatme nt with those of the experimental investigation and the finite element anal ysis indicates that they are in good agreement, demonstrating the suitabili ty of the proposed rigidity formulas and the developed,mathematical solutio n.