BRIGE: Performance-Based Design of Concrete Beams and Slabs Prestressed with Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer (AFRP) Tendons

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。该BRIGE奖项的研究目标是建立一种基于性能的设计方法，以反映采用芳纶纤维增强聚合物（AFRP）预应力筋的桥梁系统在工作、循环（疲劳）和极限荷载下的响应。 将通过对两个全尺寸样本进行实验测试进行验证，该样本由连续板和两个灯泡T梁组成，并进行连续监测。 实验结果将导致使用最先进的软件的预测计算模型的校准。 实验验证的模型将被用来获得新的洞察力的行为和正常使用极限状态的桥梁系统，特别是在极限荷载。重点也放在AFRP筋的材料特性，预应力损失，对预应力损失的聚集类型的影响，以及桥梁系统的短期和长期耐久性。 计算钢筋束中预应力损失的标准方法将用于测量由于蠕变、收缩和弹性缩短引起的损失，方法是用AFRP钢筋束的弹性模量代替钢筋束的弹性模量。 AFRP筋的松弛损失曲线将根据所收集的实验数据来确定松弛损失，由于缺乏足够的实验数据，对松弛损失的理解还不太清楚。如果成功，这项研究的结果将增加AFRP预应力筋的知识基础，以便在设计和性能建议中实施，从而不仅提高桥梁的可持续性，而且例如存在于高腐蚀性环境中的海洋结构。 该研究与教育计划相结合，教育目标是通过接触学生，包括代表性不足的少数民族，从得克萨斯州的大都市地区到工程，通过与工程学院一起进行校园访问培养的外联活动，促进STEM学习。 实验室演示和实践活动计划告知学生有关土木工程中存在的职业机会，并激发学习和发现的兴奋。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The research objective of this BRIGE award is to establish a performance-based design methodology to reflect the response of a bridge system prestressed with aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP) tendons and subjected to service, cyclic (fatigue), and ultimate loads. The validation will be performed by conducting experimental tests on two full-scale specimens consisting of a continuous slab with two bulb T-beams with continuous monitoring. The experimental results will lead to the calibration of predictive computational models using state-of-the-art software. The experimentally validated models will be used to gain new insight into the behavior and serviceability limit states of the bridge system, particularly at ultimate load. Emphasis is also placed on material characterization of the AFRP tendons, prestress losses, effect of aggregate type on prestress losses, and short and long-term durability of the bridge system. Standard methods for computing prestressing losses in steel tendons will be used to measure losses due to creep, shrinkage, and elastic shortening by replacing the modulus of elasticity of the steel tendon with the modulus of elasticity of the AFRP tendon. Relaxation loss profiles of the AFRP tendons will be developed based on the experimental data collected to determine relaxation losses, which have been less well understood given lack of sufficient experimental data.If successful, the results of this research will add to the knowledge base of AFRP prestressing tendons for implementation into design and performance recommendations for broader impact not only enhancing the sustainability of bridges but for other structures such as marine structures that exist in highly corrosive environments. The research is integrated with an education plan, where the education objective is to promote STEM learning by exposing students, including underrepresented minorities, from metropolitan areas in Texas to engineering through outreach activities fostered through campus visits in conjunction with the College of Engineering. Laboratory demonstrations and hands-on activities are planned to inform the students about career opportunities that exist within civil engineering and to stimulate excitement for learning and discovery.