Fibre reinforced polymer reinforcing bars for bridge decks

This paper describes the behaviour of two full-scale models of a portion of highway bridge slab reinforced with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinfor cement. The first slab was reinforced totally with carbon FRP (CFRP), and t he second slab was reinforced with hybrid glass FRP (GFRP) and steel reinfo rcement. The models were tested under static loading up to failure using a concentrated load acting on each span of the continuous slab and the two ca ntilevers to simulate the effect of a truck wheel load. Load-deflection beh aviour, crack patterns, strain distribution, and failure mode are reported. The measured values are compared to values calculated using nonlinear fini te element analysis model. The accuracy of the nonlinear finite element ana lysis is demonstrated using independent test results conducted by others. T he analytical model is used to examine the influence of various parameters, including the type of reinforcement, boundary conditions, and reinforcemen t ratio. Based on serviceability and ultimate capacity requirements, reinfo rcement ratios for using CFRP and GFRP reinforcement for typical bridge dec k slabs are recommended.