Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2024

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

Hota GangaRao

Committee Co-Chair

P. V. Vijay

Committee Member

Chao Zhang

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have become mainstream structural materials and are being utilized in many different structural applications because of their outstanding thermos-mechanical properties and other characteristics. These characteristics include exceptional corrosion resistance, energy absorption, durability, high strength-to-weight, stiffness-to-weight ratios, and others. Also, FRP composites are cost effective especially when accounting for the service life of such a material.

In this study, testing and analysis were performed at both the component as well as a structural system levels. Herein, two FRP truss bridges of different widths with 50 ft. spans underwent extensive testing and analysis in accordance with AASHTO specifications. Data analyzed includes strains, deflections, and frequencies under static and dynamic loads. Individual members were tested to explain how the behavior of a member alone influences the response of a structural system. Structural responses of the two FRP truss bridges under static, vertical, and pseudo-static wind loads were analyzed and reported, and future design recommendations are made.

FRP bridge components under axial compression testing exhibited crushing, local buckling, and lateral torsional buckling failures depending on the span to depth ratio of the components and also as a function of stiffness to induced stress ratio. In depth analysis and recommendations are presented pertaining to stress concentrations resulting from the manufacturing process of FRP composite shapes. Strain data of bridge members were analyzed to arrive at factors of safety for different categories of member shapes utilized in the structural systems. Further strain data analysis pertaining to members of a bridge system are related to the response phenomenon occurring in individual component testing.

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