FIELD STUDY OF A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OF REINFORCED PLASTIC. FINAL REPORT

A discussion of the behavior of the superstructure of a pedestrian bridge fabricated with glass-reinforced plastic under a field load test is presented. Experimental measurements of elastic vertical deflections were 1.8 times greater than those predicted by means of a finite element solution. A live load of 4.0 times the dead load of the superstructure and polymer concrete deck was used for the elastic load test. Elastic strains were uniform among the different elements of the superstructure and computed stresses did not exceed 10,000 lbf/sq in. at full live load. A residual deflection in the superstructure of 0.10 in. upon removal of the live load was concentrated in the supports. Creep deflection and strain measurements recorded over 61 days indicated that negligible creep occurred under a load of 3.0 times the dead load. Air temperature variations produced pronounced changes in deflection and strain readings, but were reversible. The overall structural behavior of the bridge and resistance to handling abuse exceeded expectations.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/19099
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council

  Charlottesville, VA  United States 

  Virginia Department of Highways

  Traffic and Planning Division, 1221 East Broad Street
  Richmond, VA  United States  23219

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • McCormick, F C
• Publication Date: 1985-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 40 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge superstructures; Creep; Deflection; Elastic analysis; Field studies; Footbridges; Live loads; Reinforced plastics; Strain (Mechanics); Stresses; Structural analysis; Structural mechanics; Temperature
• Uncontrolled Terms: Structural behavior
• Old TRIS Terms: Elastic analysis (Structural); Strains
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00462333
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/VA-86/21, VHTRC 86-R21
• Contract Numbers: 2197-201
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1987 12:00AM