FRP Library

FRP Composite Bridge Technology Presentation

PowerPoint Version (220 kb)

HISTORY - FRP Fiber Reinforced Materials

• Straw in Clay (Brick, Roof, Walls)
• Glass Fibers in Concrete
• Glass Fibers in Polymer

HISTORY - FRP Post WW-II Applications

• Boat Hulls
• Radomes
• Minesweeping Vessels
• Bath Tubs
• Covers

HISTORY - FRP Post WW-II Applications-2

• Pressure Vessels
• Submarine Parts
• Rocket Shells
• Aircraft Components
• Automobile Bodies & Parts

HISTORY - FRP Post WW-II Domestic Applications

• Bath Tubs
• Covers
• Railings
• Housing Components
• Architectural Components
• Ladders
• Electrical Equipment

HISTORY - FRP Post WW-II Recreational Uses

• Fishing Rods
• Tennis Rackets
• Ski Equipment
• Golf Clubs
• Recreation Boats
• Skates

FRP Consumption (In Millions of Pounds)

FRP - Civil Structures Current Field Activities

• Pedestrian Bridges
• Highway Bridges
• Seismic Retrofit Columns
• Bridge Strengthening
• Bridge Repairs

FRP Technology Characteristics

• High Strength
• High Resistance to Corrosion and Chemical
• High Resistance to Elevated Temperature
• High Resistance to Abrasion
• Toughness
• Fatigue
• Light Weight

FRP Technology Advantages

• Ease in Fabrication, Manufacturing, Handling, and Erection
• Year-Round Construction
• Short Project Time Delivery
• High Performance
• Durability (Jury Still Out)
• Excellent Strength-to-Weight Ratio

FRP Technology Disadvantages -1

• High First Cost
• Creep and Shrinkage
• Potential for Environmental Degradation
  (Alkalis' Attack, UV Radiation Exposure, Moisture Absorption, etc.)
• Consistency of Material Properties

FRP Technology Disadvantages - 2

• Global and Local Buckling
• Aerodynamic Instability With Lightweight
• Requires Highly Trained Specialists
• Lack of Standards and Design Guides
• Limited Joining and Connection Technology (Adhesive joints, fasteners)

FRP Technology Public Concerns

• Fire/Flame Resistance
• Smoke Toxicity
• Fuel Spills
• Vandalism/Theft
• Inspectibility
• Repairability

Manufacturing Process Common To Civil Applications

• Pultrusion
• Filament Winding
• Layup

What Is FRP Composites Components?

• Fiber Reinforcement
• Resin Matrix
  ***(Fiber-Matrix Interphases)***
• Fillers
• Additives

FRP Technology Mechanical Properties

• Fiber Types
• Fiber Orientations
• Fiber Architecture
• Fiber Volume (30-70%)

FRP Technology Fiber Types

• Glass
• Aramid
• Carbon (Graphite)
• Boron
• Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (Available in Japan)

FRP Technology Fiber Orientation

• 0 Degree (Parallel - Warp)
• 90 Degrees (Transverse - Weft)
• Between 0 and 90 Degrees (Biased)
• (e.g. 0/45/90/-45/0)

FRP Technology Fiber Architecture

• Braiding (2D & 3D)
• Knitting
• Weaving
• Stitched
• Chopped

FRP Technology Carbon Fiber

• Three Polymer Precursors:
  • Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
  • Rayon
  • Pitch
• Anisotropic Materials
• Linear Elastic to Failure
• Failure by Rupture

FRP Technology Aramid Fiber

• Aromatic Polyamides
• Kevlar 29
• Kevlar 49
• Anisotropic Materials
• Linear Elastic to Failure
• Failure by Rapture

FRP - Typical Properties

FRP Bridge Technology Fiber Properties

FRP Technology Resin System

• Thermoplastics (melts when heated, solidifies when cooled, no permanent curing)
• Thermosets (cures permanently by irreversible cross linking at elevated temp.)

FRP Technology Resin Formulations

• Viscosity
• Reactivity
• Resiliency
• High Deflection Temperature (HDT)

FRP Technology Resin Types

• Unsaturated Polyesters
• Epoxies
• Vinyl Esters
• Polyurethanes
• Phenolics

FRP - Resin System Unsaturated Polyesters - 1

• 75% Resins Used in USA
• Condensation Polymerization of Dicarboxylic Acids & Dihydric Alcohols
• Contains Maleic Anhydride or Fumaric Acid

FRP - Resin System Unsaturated Polyesters - 2

• Dimensional Stability
• Affordable Cost
• Ease in Handling, Processing, & Manufacturing
• High Corrosion Resistant & Fire Retardants
• Best Value for Performance & Strength

FRP - Resin System Epoxies

• Glycidyl Ethers and Amines
• Customized Properties
• Limited Workability
• Sensitive to Curing Agents
• High Performance
• High First Cost

FRP - Resin System Vinyl Esters

• Good Workability
• Fast Curing
• High Performance
• Toughness
• Excellent Corrosion Resistance

FRP - Resin System Polyurethanes

• Polyisocyanate & Polyol
• Reaction or Reinforced Injection Molding Process
• High Performance
• Toughness
• Excellent Corrosion Resistance

FRP - Resin System Phenolics

• Phenols & Formaldehyde
• Resole - Alkaline (F/P > 1.0)
  (Cured by Heat)
• Novolac - Acidic (F/P < 1.0)
  (Cured by Chemical Reaction)
• Resistance to High Temperature
• Good Thermal Stability
• Low Smoke Generation

FRP Technology Fillers

• Control Composites' Cost
• Improved Mechanical Properties
• Improved Chemical Properties
• Reduced Creep & Shrinkage
• Low Tensile Strength
• Fire Retardant & Chemical Resistant

FRP Technology Filler Types

• Calcium Carbonate
• Kaolin
• Alumina Trihydrate
• Mica Feldspar
• Wollastonite
• Silica, Talc, Glass

FRP Technology Additives

• Improved Material Properties
• Aesthetics
• Enhanced Workability
• Improved Performance

FRP Technology Additive Types

• Catalysts
• Promoters
• Inhibitors
• Coloring Dyes
• Releasing Agents
• Antistatic Agents
• Foaming Agents

FRP Technology Smart Materials

• Innovative Design and Application
• Customized Product for High Performance
• Versatility
• Complex Design Process
• Materials, Processing, Configurations

FRP - Design Features

• Avoid Abrupt Thickness Change
• Take Advantage of Geometric Shapes
• Take Advantage of Hybrid System
• Use Bonded Assemblies & Joints
• Provide Good Details on Connections

FRP - Design Avoid Abrupt Thickness

• Inefficient By Thickness
• Avoid Stress Risers
• Consider Stress Flow
• Consider Load Paths
• Understand Structural Behavior

FRP - Design Features

• Avoid Abrupt Thickness Change
• Take Advantage of Geometric Shapes
• Take Advantage of Hybrid System
• Use Bonded Assemblies & Joints
• Provide Good Details on Connections

FRP - Design Geometrical Shapes

• Low Stresses
• Optimize Design - Balance Criteria
  (Stress, Deflection, and Stability)
• Use Flanges, Ribs, Stiffeners
• Use Honeycomb or Box Cells, Tubes
• Proportioning and Orienting Cells

FRP - Design Features

• Avoid Abrupt Thickness Change
• Take Advantage of Geometric Shapes
• Take Advantage of Hybrid System
• Use Bonded Assemblies & Joints
• Provide Good Details on Connections

FRP - Design Hybrid Systems

• High Strength in Composites
• High Stiffness in Conventional Materials
• Concrete Filled Carbon Shells
• Reinforced Timber Beams
• PS Tendons, Rods, Bars, Laminates
• Account for Material Compatibility

FRP - Design Features

• Avoid Abrupt Thickness Change
• Take Advantage of Geometric Shapes
• Take Advantage of Hybrid System
• Use Bonded Assemblies & Joints
• Provide Good Details on Connections

FRP - Design Bonded Joints

• Epoxy Bonded Assemblies
• Epoxy Bonded Joints
• Bonded Shear Transfer Strips
• Plate Bonding Technology
• Bonded Splices
• Durability of Joints

FRP - Design Features

• Avoid Abrupt Thickness Change
• Take Advantage of Geometric Shapes
• Take Advantage of Hybrid System
• Use Bonded Assemblies & Joints
• Provide Good Details on Connections

FRP - Design Connection Details

• Local Stress Flow
• Overall Load Path
• Weak Links
• Manufacturing Defects
• Fabrication Irregularities
• Select Proper Fasteners

FRP Technology Future Developments

• T2 from Aerospace Industry - CE transition
• Bridge structures - Stiffness Driven
• Customized vs. Open Market
• Cross Cutting Team in Design-Build
• Education and Training of SE/CEs
• New Construction Technology
• New Manuf./Fabric. Technology

FRP Technology Conclusion - 1

• Continue R & D Activities
• Training
• Government & Private Funding
• Building Teamwork & Partnership
• Proprietary Products & Patents
• Performance/Prescriptive Specs - "Birth Certificate" & Baseline Reference

FRP Technology Conclusion - 2

• AASHTO, ASCE, ACI, PCI,
• NSF, NIST (ATP), ISCC
• Euro and Japanese Standards (Std.)
• Design Std., Specs & Guidelines
• Materials Specifications & Testing Std.
• Manufacturing Process & Standards
• Database Management