NSF Award Abstract - #9796077| NSF Award Abstract - #9796077 |
AWSFL008-DS3 |
| NSF Org | CMS |
| Latest Amendment Date | April 15, 1997 |
| Award Number | 9796077 |
| Award Instrument | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager |
Vijaya Gopu CMS DIV OF CIVIL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ENG DIRECTORATE FOR ENGINEERING |
| Start Date | October 15, 1996 |
| Expires | August 31, 1999 (Estimated) |
| Expected Total Amount | $137903 (Estimated) |
| Investigator | Cornelia E. Demers (Principal Investigator current) |
| Sponsor |
U of Arizona 601 Administration Building Tucson, AZ 85721 602/621-2211 |
| NSF Program | 1635 INFRASTRUCT MAT & STRUCT MECHA |
| Field Application | |
| Program Reference Code |
9521652 Demers This project will demonstrate experimentally and analytically the feasibility of strengthening and retrofitting steel girders in composite steel concrete bridges with epoxy bonded carbon fiber laminates. To upgrade the flexural capacity, carbon fiber plates or tapes are epoxy bonded to the girder tension flange. For retrofitting, this material is epoxy bonded to the girder tension flange which may contain pre-existing fatigue cracks. Three beams will be tested under static loading to determine the flexural strength of a composite section of concrete deck, steel girder, carbon fiber tape, and epoxy. This will investigate: Fatigue strength in the positive moment region with pre-existing fatigue cracks; fatigue strength as a function of applied stress range; classification of fatigue strength according to the AASHTO's Standard Categories; and the ability of retrofit to arrest fatigue crack growth. This project is a joint effort between the University of Arizona and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. All full- scale tests will be conducted at the University of Arizona. The coupon tests will be performed at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The analysis of results and development of guidelines and methodology for application of this technique will be performed by the investigators at both institutions. ***
