Bridge on Arnault Branch, Washington County, Missouri

Status

Sequential Number

Identification Number

Matching Research Agency

Federal Highway Administration (IBRC Program)

Principal Investigator

Student Involvement

One graduate student

Project Objective

The objective of this study is to further validate two fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement concepts and one low corrosion application of cladding steel in field condition of a replaced three-span bridge with a long-term monitoring system. The three spans of the new bridge will be constructed with precast FRP-reinforced concrete panels on steel girders, precast FRP-reinforced concrete panels on concrete girders, and precast FRP-reinforced concrete box girders. The two spans with conventional bridge girders are considered in order to extend the applicability of validated technologies into both new construction and the deck replacement of existing bridges. The conventional girder spans will also provide good benchmarks for the third span with box girders. The high grade cladding steel will be used to reinforce abutments and piers to reduce corrosion potential. The entire superstructure will be constructed with precast members built off the bridge site.

Project Abstract

This project deals with the replacement of an existing unreinforced concrete slab-on-ground creek overpass with a more efficient concrete slab and girder bridge with the use of relatively new materials: fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) rods and cladding steel bars. Underneath the existing overpass are installed two 0.91 m (3 ft) diameter corrugated steel pipes, allowing water flowing. Over the years, the creek occasionally flooded and water flew over the structure, making it structurally and functionally inadequate and posing a primary issue of safety. The proposed new bridge will provide sufficient elevation to discharge water at a 100-year flood event. The existing overpass will be replaced with a rapidly-constructed, three-span bridge with precast FRP reinforced concrete slabs and box girders, and cast-in-place cladding steel reinforced concrete abutments and piers. It will be monitored for the following years to document the performance of the overall bridge. The objectives of this study are to further validate two innovative FRP reinforcement concepts and one low corrosion application of cladding steel, and to monitor the bridge performance. The three spans will be constructed with precast FRP-reinforced concrete panels on steel girders, precast FRP-reinforced concrete panels on concrete girders, and precast FRP-reinforced concrete box girders. The two spans with conventional bridge girders are considered in order to extend the applicability of validated technologies into both new construction and the deck replacement of existing bridges. The conventional girder spans will also provide good benchmarks for the third span with box girders. The high grade cladding steel will be used to reinforce abutments and piers to reduce corrosion potential. The new bridge will have three 8.23 m (27 ft) long spans, for a total length of 24.69 m (81 ft), and out-to-out deck width of 6.40 m (21 ft).

Anticipated Benefits

(1) Field validation of a precast box-girder span with FRP reinforcement, (2) Further validation of precast FRP-reinforced concrete panels supported on steel/concrete girders for the deck replacement of existing bridges, (3) Comparison of the long-term performances of FRP reinforcement and cladding steel rebar, and (4) Long-term field monitoring system.

Milestones

Project Deliverables

Laboratory validation of FRP-reinforced concrete panels and box girders

Completion of a three-span bridge construction

Monitoring system installed on the bridge

Report on the laboratory validation and field monitoring

Technology Transfer Activities

Presentation at professional meetings and publication in journals

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Fiber reinforced polymer rods, box-girder bridge, steel-girder bridge, concrete-girder bridge, cladding steel, bridge monitoring