Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

1998

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

Julio F. Davalos.

Abstract

The advantages of advanced composite materials (ACM) over conventional materials motivate their use in highway bridges for rehabilitation and replacement of structures. However, the complexity of the composites has created a need for simplified design analysis procedures that account for both the geometry and material properties of ACM members and systems.;An analytical/experimental study of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composite bridges consisting of cellular box decks and wide-flange I-beams as stringers is presented. The design analysis covers: (1) ply stiffnesses and strengths; (2) laminate engineering stiffnesses; (3) apparent stiffness properties for composite decks; and (4) stringer stiffness properties. Finite element modeling is used to verify the accuracy of the design analysis.;For design analysis of FRP deck-and-stringer bridge system, an approximate series solution for orthotropic plates including first-order shear deformation is developed. Based on the analytical/experimental study, simplified design equations are developed for bridge applications, which include global design of deck-and-stringer system accounting for load distribution factors.

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