Waterline Pile Cap Footings for Bridges Using Large Diameter FRP Reinforcing – Material Characterization and Design

Details

• Creators:
  Nanni, Antonio ; De Caso, Francisco ; Emparanza, Alvaro Ruiz ; Palacios, Juan Manuel ; Mairone, Mattia ; Heydarpour, Khashayar
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Miami
• Corporate Contributors:
  Florida. Department of Transportation. Research Center
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Bridge Design Evaluation And Assessment Fiber Reinforced Plastics Footings Literature Reviews Materials By Surface Characteristics Performance Measurement Pile Caps Water Areas
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Florida
• Edition:
  Final report: July 2024 to April 2025
• Corporate Publisher:
  Florida. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  The durability of coastal bridge structures is significantly impacted by the corrosion of steel reinforcement, particularly in waterline pile cap footings exposed to aggressive marine environments. This study investigates the feasibility of using large-diameter glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars as a corrosion-resistant alternative to traditional steel reinforcement. The research includes a comprehensive literature review, material characterization, and structural analysis to develop design specifications for #11 GFRP bars. Experimental testing, including tensile, bond, and durability assessments, was conducted to establish mechanical properties and ensure compliance with AASHTO and FDOT requirements. Structural performance evaluations were carried out using computational modeling tools to validate the design methodology for GFRP-reinforced pile cap footings. The findings confirm that #11 GFRP bars demonstrate adequate strength, durability, and environmental resistance for bridge applications, offering a sustainable solution to extend service life and reduce maintenance costs. Design examples are provided to facilitate implementation in practice. This research supports the development of material acceptance criteria and refined design guidelines, promoting wider adoption of GFRP reinforcement in marine bridge construction and enhancing infrastructure resilience in coastal regions.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  BEE76-977-01
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:4431a541e331c1d750dd22d46aa01b81e0f534a519196822a38e3aa6f4b4b0fedf240c49288bcc6a494744b39a78d3882240a376e7cd79b085b19801290c1b52
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86810/dot_86810_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 7.95 MB ]