Interfacial Shear Transfer for Concrete Elements with Non-Corrosive Composite Reinforcement

This project will investigate a novel approach to enhance the dowel resistance of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars when used as shear reinforcement construction of concrete bridges. Fiber reinforced polymer is known to be resistant to corrosion with potential benefits in bridge construction. However, it has low dowel action resistance, which can jeopardize the integrity of the composite action between precast/prestressed concrete and cast-in-place bridge deck slabs, which can lead to failure of the bridge girder system. Improving the dowel action resistance of GFRP stirrups will eliminate a barrier to wider adoption of non-corrosive GFRP bars in bridge construction. The objective of this project is to explore a novel approach whereby GFRP dowels will be placed at an angle to the shear interface between the precast beam and the cast-in-place deck for enhancing the horizontal shear resistance of fiber reinforced polymer dowels for the purpose of ensuring composite action in bridges built with non-corrosive reinforcement. The scope of the project is limited to GFRP bars, which is the most widely used rebar alternative due to its lower cost and acceptable properties compared to other types of fiber reinforced polymer bars. The contribution of the GFRP bars to the mechanism of shear transfer will be evaluated by using push-off specimens that have been successfully used for studying dowel action of steel bars. Push-off specimens with non-orthogonal GFRP dowels at two angles and two spacings are proposed to be tested experimentally along with a control specimen. The proposed specimens will explore the effect of different angles and dowel spacing on the interfacial shear resistance between concrete elements with GFRP dowls.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.sptc.org/cy3-lsu-05

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $80,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348306 (CY3-LSU-05)

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Southern Plains Transportation Center

  University of Oklahoma
  202 W Boyd St, Room 213A
  Norman, OK  United States  73019

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

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

  University of Oklahoma, Norman

  School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
  202 West Boyd Street, Room 334
  Norman, OK  United States  73019
• Project Managers:

  Ghasemi, Hamid

• Performing Organizations:

  Louisiana State University

  3660G Patrick F. Taylor Hall
  Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70803
• Principal Investigators:

  Okeil, Ayman

• Start Date: 20260101
• Expected Completion Date: 20270101
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: UTC

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Composite structures; Concrete bridges; Dowels; Fiber reinforced polymers; Glass fibers; Reinforcing bars; Shear properties
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01975684
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348306 (CY3-LSU-05)
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 5 2026 10:26PM