Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Wraps for Next Generation Sustainable and Cost-Effective Rehabilitation of Coastal Transportation Infrastructure in the Mid-Atlantic Region

A major impediment for the implementation of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) in transportation infrastructure is the lack of effective references for training and technology transfer in practice, because the information is usually disparate, often confusing, and even contradictory. Therefore, this project offers the opportunity for developing a concise yet complete reference report that can serve as a “practical” educational tool, and facilitate the evaluation and implementation of externally bonded FRP repair by State Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel. An extensive review of FRP retrofit literature for highway structures will be performed. An evaluation of FRP-retrofitted projects in West Virginia will be completed. Bridge location, purpose of the FRP wrap, retrofit details and cost, cost/benefit studies, percentages of added capacities and targeted versus actual time frames for the FRP retrofit will be documented. Other advantages and disadvantages will be presented. Non-destructive testing/non-destructive examination (NDT/NDE) practices for inspecting FRP external wraps shall be developed. Of a major importance is to evaluate the acceptance levels of FRP-retrofitted projects by DOTs and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The outcomes of the completed research to evaluate the remaining service life of corrosion-deteriorated concrete bridge members based on the existing chloride content will be heavily utilized. The research team will work closely with West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) members managing the databases, inventory, inspection reports, digital pictures, load ratings, load postings, remaining strength, etc. Criteria will be proposed to determine the suitability for FRP retrofit of types of structures, based on assessments for damage and inventory parameters. The project team will propose a prioritized classification process into three levels for possible candidate structures. WVDOT and VDOT candidate structures will be evaluated against these criteria. Existing reports and national guidelines/ specifications will be reviewed. The review will cover all the aspects of FRP research pertaining to repairing, reinforcing, or strengthening by external wrap and near-surface mounting. VDOT and WVDOH structural programs will be examined to check how they could account for FRP strengthening.

• Record URL:
  http://www.matsutc.org/fiber-reinforced-plastic-frp-wraps-for-next-generation-sustainable-and-cost-effective-rehabilitation-of-coastal-transportation-infrastructure-in-the-mid-atlantic-region/

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $318000
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT13-G-UTC33

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Marshall University, Huntington

  College of Information Technology and Engineering
  One John Marshall Drive
  Huntington, WV  United States  25755

  University of Virginia, Charlottesville

  Center for Transportation Studies
  P.O. Box 400742, Thornton Hall, D228
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Mid-Atlantic Transportation Sustainability Center

  University of Virginia
  Charlottesville, VA  United States 
• Performing Organizations:

  Marshall University, Huntington

  College of Information Technology and Engineering
  One John Marshall Drive
  Huntington, WV  United States  25755

  University of Virginia, Charlottesville

  Center for Transportation Studies
  P.O. Box 400742, Thornton Hall, D228
  Charlottesville, VA  United States  22903
• Principal Investigators:

  Zatar, Wael

  Nguyen, Hai

  Ozbulut, Osman

• Start Date: 20160501
• Expected Completion Date: 20171031
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coasts; Evaluation; Fiber reinforced plastics; Guidelines; Highway bridges; Infrastructure; Retrofitting; State departments of transportation; Structural strengthening; Sustainable development
• Identifier Terms: Virginia Department of Transportation; West Virginia Division of Highways
• Geographic Terms: Mid-Atlantic Region (United States); West Virginia
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01593845
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mid-Atlantic Transportation Sustainability Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC33
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 16 2016 12:56PM