Date of Graduation

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

P V Vijay

Committee Co-Chair

Omar I Abdul-Aziz

Committee Member

David B DeVallance

Committee Member

Hema J Siriwardane

Abstract

Bridges have been an integral feature of the mountainous West Virginia landscape, carrying roads railways, and pedestrian traffic over creeks and rivers from early 1860. The state of West Virginia has always been a home for well reputed timber bridges in the last two centuries including several pedestrian bridges. This research focuses on designing a covered pedestrian bridge by using a combination of traditional and advanced materials such as timber, steel, and FRP for a length of 104.0' over three spans. Following the design process, structurally feasible and an economical choice of deck and stringer sections will be selected. This research also evaluates the effectiveness of using carbon fiber and glass fiber reinforced polymers to reinforce the timber beams/stringers and piles used for bridge structural elements. Specimens representing an FRP bridge deck (48.0"x10.25"x3.5") and glued timber stringers (4"x10"x12' and 4"x12"x16') are tested under four-point bending. For timber elements, feasibility of using circular timber pile sections strengthened with FRP wraps are also investigated. Experimental results of decks, stringers, and pile elements are compared with theoretical and FE values and a good correlation is observed.

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