Assessment of a Steel-Free Fiber Reinforced Polymer-Composite Modular Bridge System

Abstract

The paper describes the development and characterization of a modular bridge system incorporating fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite girders connected by stiffened FRP deck panels which serve as both formwork and flexural reinforcement for a steel free concrete deck cast on top. The response of individual components and a two girder deck assemblage are characterized through full scale tests and it is shown that capacity is substantially greater than the design demand levels. Analytical predictions, based on laminated beam theory using progressive ply failure criteria, moment–curvature analysis and finite element models, are seen to compare well with experimental results.