Performance of FRP Bridge Deck Under Flexural Loading

Abstract

Fibre-reinforced polymers or FRPs are durable materials that are highly resistant to corrosive activity, have a high stiffness-to-weight ratio and are ideally suited for the construction of assembly lines into compact modules which can be easily installed. FRP production costs are therefore considerably higher than conventional concrete and steel materials. Hence overall cost savings is either due to decreased weight, faster building speed or lower maintenance and improved life span. In this study, the optimum cross-section of the stiffeners of the deck slab is determined from different shapes and sizes of stiffener, which offers high stiffness and strength. Along with, effect of different longitudinal and transverse modulus of stiffeners on the flexural capacity of deck is determined. It is observed that by keeping longitudinal modulus (E1) constant while varying the E1/E2 ratio, the trapezoidal shape stiffener provides the highest strength and stiffness. On the other hand, keeping E2 constant and varying the E1/G12 ratio trapezoidal stiffener shape shows the best result.