Reinforcement of Thompson’s Bridge Deck Slabs
COUNTY FERMANAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND.
DESCRIPTION:
Thompson’s Bridge was a replacement bridge to carry the A509 in County Fermanagh. It consists of a fully integral single-span skew bridge. The mid-span section was constructed with basalt-fibre-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars of 12mm diameter and the remaining slab had 12mm of steel reinforcement.
Date of project: 2010.
Where FRP composites were used and why: Galen ROCKBAR rebars were used for the reinforcement of Thompson’s bridge deck slabs to replace corrodible steel reinforcement with highly durable basalt-fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) reinforcing.
SPECIFIC DESIGN DETAILS:
The bridge is a single-span bridge with an abutment supported on piles. The upper part consists of the prestressed beams, deck slabs reinforced with ROCKBAR composite rebars.
TYPE OF COMPOSITE USED:
BFRP rebars.
PERFORMANCE IN SERVICE:
According to results of the performed investigations the following conclusions have been made:
Сomposite armature “Rockbar” has increased operating performances. Due to the arching effect its strength is higher in comparison to the steel reinforced slabs tested before.
The strength of the investigated slabs has surpassed values of the bending theory of the given standard.
Slabs reinforced with composite armature “Rockbar” correspond to all requirements indicated in various normative documents such as Canadian Standard and ACI Guidance (reinforcement value 0.6% acc. to 5 Part).
The ultimate failure is expressed with concrete cracks in the central portion of a slab span. Such failure is a better than FRP failure.
FRP based reinforcement is a durable analogue for bridge decks as it works with the arching effect, increasing operating parameters & strength. Thus it reduces FRP material’s disadvantages.
Further information: http://galencomposite.com/home/implemented-projects/the-bridge-in-the-northern-ireland/
