Structural soundness evaluation of GFRP pedestrian bridge

This paper introduces the structure of the GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics) pedestrian bridge, to which GFRP was first applied as the primary structure in Japan, constructed in Okinawa Prefecture in April of 2000. Also described mainly of several strength tests in this paper are the static loading and the natural frequency tests performed to evaluate the soundness of the bridge structure. The static loading test evaluated the rigidity of the main girders on the bridge without the pavement, and clarified that the shear rigidity in the web had to be considered in addition to the flexural rigidity in the flange. The natural frequency test evaluated the primary frequency of the bridge to be approximately 4.6 Hz, and clarified that the bridge did not cause an uncomfortable feeling in people crossing it.