Performance of a bridge deck reinforced with CFRP grids in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, USA

This article presents the laboratory study and field test results of the Rollins Road bridge located in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, USA, which was designed and built using both high performance concrete (HPC) and state-of-the-art carbon fiber reinforced polymeric (CFRP) grids. Results show that the strains in the laboratory bridge deck were less than one third of the ultimate strain of the CFRP material at a maximum load of 490 kN (110 kips). Strain distributions are presented for both temperature changes as well as applied vehicular loading for the actual bridge. Recorded bridge deck strains, as well as girder and slab deflections, were well below acceptable limits. Constructability issues related to the corrosion resistant CFRP grids are also presented, such as securing the CFRP grids to the concrete girders and formwork, chair placement, grid splicing, time required for placing the CFRP grids, and CFRP-to-guardrail reinforcement details.