Applications of Composites in Highway Bridges Introduction Material Properties Reinforcing Fibers • Matrix Materials Advantages and Disadvantages of Composites in Bridge Applications Pultruded Composite Shapes and Composite Cables Pultruded Composite Shapes • Composite Cables FRP Reinforcing Bars for Concrete Composite Bridge Decks Advantages and Disadvantages • Composite Deck Systems • Truss-Type Deck System Joseph M. Plecnik California State University, Long Beach Oscar Henriquez California State University, Long Beach Wearing Surface for a Composite Deck Composite Bridge Structural Systems Column Wrapping Using Composites Strengthening of Bridge Girders Using CFRP Laminates. | Plecnik . Henriquez O. Applications of Composites in Highway Bridges. Bridge Engineering Handbook. Ed. Wai-Fah Chen and Lian Duan Boca Raton CRC Press 2000 Section VI Special Topics 51 Applications of Composites in Highway Bridges Introduction Material Properties Reinforcing Fibers Matrix Materials Advantages and Disadvantages of Composites in Bridge Applications Pultruded Composite Shapes and Composite Cables Pultruded Composite Shapes Composite Cables FRP Reinforcing Bars for Concrete Composite Bridge Decks Advantages and Disadvantages Composite Deck Systems Truss-Type Deck System Wearing Surface for a Composite Deck Composite Bridge Structural Systems Column Wrapping Using Composites Joseph M. Plecnik Strengthening of Bridge Girders Using California State University CFRP Laminates Long Beach Composite Highway Light Poles Oscar Henriquez Nondestructive Evaluation of Composite California State University Bridge Systems Long Beach 5113 Summary Introduction Building a functional transportation infrastructure is a high priority for any nation. Equally important is maintaining and upgrading its integrity to keep pace with increasing usage higher traffic loads and new technologies. At present in the United States a great number of bridges are considered structurally deficient and many are restricted to lighter traffic loads and lower speeds. Such bridges need to be repaired or replaced. This task may be achieved by using the same or similar technologies and materials used originally for their initial construction many years ago. However new materials and technologies may provide beneficial alternatives to traditional materials in upgrading existing bridges and in the construction of new bridges. Composite materials offer unique properties that may justify their gradual introduction into bridge repair and construction. 2000 by CRC Press .
