Use of fibre reinforced polymer reinforcement integrated with fibre optic sensors for concrete bridge deck slab construction

The use of corrosion free fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites as rein forcement to concrete is currently being seen as a promising option to gene rate durable concrete structures. However, there exists very little credibl e information about its field application and performance. This paper descr ibes the Joffre Bridge project, in Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada), over the St -Francois River, where Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) was used as r einforcement for a portion of the concrete deck slab. The bridge consists o f five longitudinal spans with lengths varying from 26 to 37 m. Each span h as a concrete deck supported by five steel girders at 3.7 m. A part of the concrete deck slab (7.3 x 11.5 m) and a portion of the traffic barrier and the sidewalk were reinforced with Carbon (CFRP) and Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) reinforcement. The bridge was extensively instrumented with many different types of gauges, including integrated fibre optic sensors (F OS) into FRP reinforcement. The performance of the bridge had been assessed under static and dynamic loading using calibrated heavy trucks. Moreover, structural design and construction details of the bridge and instrumentatio n were performed. The results from calibrated field tests on the bridge are presented in this paper.