Title:
Impact Damage Retrofit of RC Bridge Girder Previously Retrofitted with CFRP Fabric
Author(s):
Abheetha Peiris and Issam Harik
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
346
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
31-50
Keywords:
bridge; CFRP; heavy fabric; impact damage; reinforced concrete; retrofit SP-346: Field Applications of Non-Conventional Reinforcing and Strengthening Methods for Bridges and Structures 31
DOI:
10.14359/51730492
Date:
1/1/2021
Abstract:
Following an over-height truck impact, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) fabric was used to
retrofit the exterior girder in a four-span Reinforced Concrete Deck on Girder (RCDG) Bridge on route KY 562 that
passes over Interstate 71 in Gallatin County, Kentucky. The impacted span (Span 3) traverses the two northbound
lanes of Interstate 71. While the initial retrofit was completed in May 2015, a second impact in September 2018
damaged all four girders in Span 3. The previously retrofitted exterior girder (Girder 4) suffered the brunt of the
impact, with all steel rebars in the bottom layer being severed. Damage to Girders 1, 2, and 3 was minor and none of
the bars were damaged. A two-stage approach for the containment and repair of the damaged girders following an
over-height truck impact was implemented when retrofitting the bridge. The repair and strengthening of all the girders
using CFRP fabric was the economical option compared to the alternative option of replacing the RCDG bridge. The
initial CFRP retrofit was found to have failed in local debonding around the impact location. The CFRP retrofit
material that was not immediately near the impact location was found to be well bonded to the concrete. The removal
of this material and subsequent surface preparation for the new retrofit was time consuming and challenging due to
traffic constraints. In Girder 4 all but one of the main rebars were replaced by removing the damaged sections and
installing straight rebars connected to the existing rebars with couplers. One of the rebars could not be replaced. A
heavy CFRP unidirectional fabric, having a capacity of 534 kN (120,000 lbs.) per 305 mm (1 ft.) width of fabric, was
selected for the flexural strengthening and deployed to replace the loss in load carrying capacity. A lighter
unidirectional CFRP fabric was selected for anchoring and shear strengthening of all the girders, and to serve as
containment of crushed concrete in the event of future over-height impacts. The retrofit with spliced steel rebars and
CFRP fabric proved to be an economical alternative to bridge replacement.