Evaluation of a Timber Bridge for the Secondary Road System Using FRP Reinforced Glue-Laminated Girders

One of the goals that the Innovative Bridge Research and Construction (IBRC) program, sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), wishes to achieve through sponsored research projects is the concept of an economical, durable, short-span bridge that reduces construction time. Delaware County, Iowa took a step in that direction through the construction of a 64 ft long bridge comprised of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced glue-laminated timber girders and a transverse glue-laminated timber deck. Prior funding for the design, construction (including materials), and monitoring/evaluation of this project was obtained through the IBRC program with the assistance of the Iowa Division of the FHWA. Although strengthening of timber bridges with FRP is not a new topic, limited information exists on the short- and long-term effectiveness of using FRP reinforcement for these types of structures. Thus, the objective of this project was to evaluate the in-service structural performance of a glued-laminated timber bridge strengthened with FRP plates. Field load tests and inspections were performed immediately after construction and each year for two years after construction of the bridge. The purpose was to establish a database of information to address both short- and long-term performance using FRP plates to reinforce glued-laminated timber girders. Structurally, the bridge performed within current specified limits, and no significant increase in stiffness was identified in the girders due to the presence of the FRP plates. Test results collected in 2006 show no noticeable difference compared to those collected two years earlier in 2004, and the FRP/timber bond showed no signs of deterioration. Cost still appears to be the limiting factor for this bridge design, although, as this design gains familiarity, that cost may decrease, making it a more attractive alternative.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/midcon2007/HostengTimber.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Institute for Transportation
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664
• Authors:
  • Hosteng, Travis
  • Phares, Brent
  • Wipf, Terry J
  • Wood, Douglas
  • Nahra, Mark
• Conference:
  • 2007 Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium
  • Location: Ames IA, United States
  • Date: 2007-8-16 to 2007-8-17
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 17p
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 2007 Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Construction; Databases; Design; Durability; Evaluation and assessment; Fiber reinforced plastics; Girders; Laminated wood; Secondary roads; Specifications; Stiffness; Structural analysis; Structural strengthening; Time; Wooden bridges
• Identifier Terms: Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program; U.S. Federal Highway Administration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Economical; Effectiveness; Short span bridges; Transverse
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01076547
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 21 2007 1:54PM