Performance Investigation of a Fiber Reinforced Composite Honeycomb Deck for Bridge Applications

This report focuses mainly on the evaluation of stiffness and ultimate load-carrying capacity of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) honeycomb sandwich panels, with a sinusoidal core, used in bridge applications. Evaluation of fatigue performance is also included. Sixteen full scale panels with cross-section depths ranging from 5 in. (125 mm) to 31.5 in. (800 mm), instrumented with electrical resistance strain gages, displacement transducers, acoustic emission sensors and optical fibers for strain measurement, have been tested. A complete summary of experimental results is provided for each test, typically in the form of graphs of load vs. deflection and load vs. strain for all measured channels and photographs of failure modes. Coupon tests and shear tests on double lap specimens provided information about constituent material properties. The effect of width-to-depth ratio on unit stiffness was shown to be insignificant for panels with a constant depth of 6 in. (150 mm) and width-to-depth ratios between one and five. A simple analytical formula for bending and shear stiffness, based on the material properties and geometry of a transformed section, was found to predict deflections within 20% accuracy. Although some factors influencing the ultimate load carrying capacity were clearly identified in this study, a reliable analytical prediction of the ultimate flexural capacity was not attained. This is due to the fact that failures occur in the bond lines between the outer faces and core, and that significant geometric variations along these bond lines can exist due to the wet layup process--even for theoretically identical specimens. Therefore, the use of wraps or internal ties (seven tested specimens had external wraps) is recommended. This serves to strengthen the relatively weak core-face interface and, as the research suggests, it could bring more consistency in determining the ultimate load-carrying capacity by shifting the ultimate failure from the resin bond material to the glass fibers. A preliminary proposal for design procedure of such wraps is presented. Finally, several 3D Finite Element models were developed and analyzed in order to better understand the behavior of these complex structural systems.

• Record URL:
  ftp://ftp.mdt.mt.gov/research/LIBRARY/FHWA-KS-04-1.PDF
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/38117
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/38892
• Supplemental Notes:
  • The appendices to this report are on a CD-ROM which is included with the report.
• Corporate Authors:

  Kansas State University, Manhattan

  Department of Civil Engineering, Fiedler Hall
  Manhattan, KS  United States  66506

  Kansas Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Research, 700 SW Harrison Street
  Topeka, KS  United States  66603-3745

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kalny, Ondrej
  • Peterman, Robert J
• Publication Date: 2005-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 118p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Bridge decks; Deflection; Design methods; Fatigue (Mechanics); Finite element method; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Honeycomb structures; Laboratory tests; Panels; Sandwich construction; Stiffness; Strain measurement
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wraps (Structural reinforcement)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01001253
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-KS-04-1
• Contract Numbers: C1274
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 20 2005 4:52PM