Development of Durability Models for Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites and Integration into Design Guidelines for Bridges

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General Information
Solicitation Number: 1161
Status: Solicitation withdrawn
Date Posted: Apr 06, 2007
Last Updated: Mar 09, 2009
Solicitation Expires: Apr 06, 2008
Lead Organization: California Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2007
Commitment End Year: 2010
100% SP&R Approval: Pending Approval
Commitments Required: $325,000.00
Commitments Received:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Robert Buendia
robert.buendia@dot.ca.gov
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address

Background

FRP composites are increasingly being considered for rehabilitation of all aspects of the civil infrastructure, including bridges. These materials are a prime candidate for the fabrication of replacement components, as well as new bridge systems. However, there is very little information available to provide for accurate prediction of the durability / service life of FRP composite structures in a civil environment. A need still exists to develop a means to predict the durability / service life of FRP composites in a civil environment. A program to address this need was initiated in 2000 by the now defunct Highway Innovative Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC). This research project shall complete work initiated by HITEC.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to provide bridge designers and engineers a better means of estimating the durability / service life of FRP composites in a bridge environment. More specifically, this should entail: (a) development of durability data based on field exposure of selected FRP systems with correlation to laboratory exposure; and (b) development of a design methodology focusing on seismic retrofit and externally bonded flexural rehabilitation of structural concrete components.

Scope of Work

The contractor shall develop a detailed plan, based on the tasks described below, to achieve the project goal. This work plan shall contain project milestones, a critical path chart detailing the delivery of each milestone in the plan including, quarterly reports and meetings with the contract manager. The contractor shall submit a 3-year work plan to the contract manager for approval. Task 1: Selection of field sites and development of exposure frames In order to assess the effect of field environment exposure on FRP durability, FRP composite samples will be exposed to field conditions of weathering at five (5) sites in the State of California. It is anticipated that these sites shall be representative of the different climatic conditions across the country. These sites will either be within Caltrans yards, or adjacent to bridge sites (on State ROW) such that the environmental conditions are similar to those likely to be seen on Caltrans bridges as well as to ensure specimen integrity. It is envisaged that specimens will be placed both by themselves (i.e unattached to concrete) and bonded to concrete. Please note the study assumes all field tests sites are located in the State of California. A separate site may be located in a study partner¿s State for an additional charge. Task 2: Field exposure and testing of exposed specimens Samples shall be placed on mounted trays so as to be freely exposed to the environment away from the ground. Monitoring stations for temperature, humidity, and precipitation shall be installed at each site to provide a time history of exposure conditions. At routine intervals samples shall be removed and brought back to the laboratory for testing using 1. tension tests 2. SBS tests 3. DMTA 4. TGA 5. Microscopy 6. moisture absorption techniques. A statistically significant number of specimens will be tested at an agreed upon interval. In addition specimens shall be left in place for longer term exposure so that the validation can be potentially continued even beyond the 3 year period of the proposed research. It is expected that the following representative systems will be evaluated 1. E-glass FRP representative of systems used in seismic retrofit 2. Carbon FRP representative of systems used in wet layup based rehabilitation 3. Pultruded carbon FRP representative of systems used in externally bonded rehabilitation 4. Associated resin and adhesive systems Also, since the effectiveness of the FRP rehabilitation system depends on the durability of the bond between the FRP and concrete, pull-tests shall be conducted to assess bond integrity. Task 3: Laboratory simulation of field exposures and testing of specimens Since long-term durability is time-based, study methods have been developed to allow for mimicking of field exposures in the laboratory using specialized setups and determination of equivalencies. As an example, a relationship between relative humidity and saturation weight gain due to moisture uptake has been developed for inclusion of humidity effects. The workplan shall consider such equivalencies. Task 4: Development of correlations Correlations shall be developed between field and laboratory specimens. The methodology developed by HITEC testing of rings exposed to field conditions in Washington shall be utilized. Task 5: Development of design guidelines for FRP materials These data developed at the materials level shall be extended to the structural component level. This shall enable the development of preliminary design guidelines, which will be provided.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
Development of Durability Models for Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites and Integration into Design Guidelines for Bridges http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/research/FRP_durability_project.pdf Solicitation Public

Development of Durability Models for Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites and Integration into Design Guidelines for Bridges

General Information
Solicitation Number: 1161
Status: Solicitation withdrawn
Date Posted: Apr 06, 2007
Last Updated: Mar 09, 2009
Solicitation Expires: Apr 06, 2008
Lead Organization: California Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2007
Commitment End Year: 2010
100% SP&R Approval: Pending Approval
Commitments Required: $325,000.00
Commitments Received:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Robert Buendia
robert.buendia@dot.ca.gov
Commitments by Organizations
No data available.

Background

FRP composites are increasingly being considered for rehabilitation of all aspects of the civil infrastructure, including bridges. These materials are a prime candidate for the fabrication of replacement components, as well as new bridge systems. However, there is very little information available to provide for accurate prediction of the durability / service life of FRP composite structures in a civil environment. A need still exists to develop a means to predict the durability / service life of FRP composites in a civil environment. A program to address this need was initiated in 2000 by the now defunct Highway Innovative Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC). This research project shall complete work initiated by HITEC.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to provide bridge designers and engineers a better means of estimating the durability / service life of FRP composites in a bridge environment. More specifically, this should entail: (a) development of durability data based on field exposure of selected FRP systems with correlation to laboratory exposure; and (b) development of a design methodology focusing on seismic retrofit and externally bonded flexural rehabilitation of structural concrete components.

Scope of Work

The contractor shall develop a detailed plan, based on the tasks described below, to achieve the project goal. This work plan shall contain project milestones, a critical path chart detailing the delivery of each milestone in the plan including, quarterly reports and meetings with the contract manager. The contractor shall submit a 3-year work plan to the contract manager for approval. Task 1: Selection of field sites and development of exposure frames In order to assess the effect of field environment exposure on FRP durability, FRP composite samples will be exposed to field conditions of weathering at five (5) sites in the State of California. It is anticipated that these sites shall be representative of the different climatic conditions across the country. These sites will either be within Caltrans yards, or adjacent to bridge sites (on State ROW) such that the environmental conditions are similar to those likely to be seen on Caltrans bridges as well as to ensure specimen integrity. It is envisaged that specimens will be placed both by themselves (i.e unattached to concrete) and bonded to concrete. Please note the study assumes all field tests sites are located in the State of California. A separate site may be located in a study partner¿s State for an additional charge. Task 2: Field exposure and testing of exposed specimens Samples shall be placed on mounted trays so as to be freely exposed to the environment away from the ground. Monitoring stations for temperature, humidity, and precipitation shall be installed at each site to provide a time history of exposure conditions. At routine intervals samples shall be removed and brought back to the laboratory for testing using 1. tension tests 2. SBS tests 3. DMTA 4. TGA 5. Microscopy 6. moisture absorption techniques. A statistically significant number of specimens will be tested at an agreed upon interval. In addition specimens shall be left in place for longer term exposure so that the validation can be potentially continued even beyond the 3 year period of the proposed research. It is expected that the following representative systems will be evaluated 1. E-glass FRP representative of systems used in seismic retrofit 2. Carbon FRP representative of systems used in wet layup based rehabilitation 3. Pultruded carbon FRP representative of systems used in externally bonded rehabilitation 4. Associated resin and adhesive systems Also, since the effectiveness of the FRP rehabilitation system depends on the durability of the bond between the FRP and concrete, pull-tests shall be conducted to assess bond integrity. Task 3: Laboratory simulation of field exposures and testing of specimens Since long-term durability is time-based, study methods have been developed to allow for mimicking of field exposures in the laboratory using specialized setups and determination of equivalencies. As an example, a relationship between relative humidity and saturation weight gain due to moisture uptake has been developed for inclusion of humidity effects. The workplan shall consider such equivalencies. Task 4: Development of correlations Correlations shall be developed between field and laboratory specimens. The methodology developed by HITEC testing of rings exposed to field conditions in Washington shall be utilized. Task 5: Development of design guidelines for FRP materials These data developed at the materials level shall be extended to the structural component level. This shall enable the development of preliminary design guidelines, which will be provided.

Title Type Private
Development of Durability Models for Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites and Integration into Design Guidelines for Bridges Solicitation N

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