Using FRC and UHPFRC with conventional reinforcement for the seismic design and rehabilitation of bridge piers and for the design of bridge superstructure elements

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Canada is one of the world industrialised countries where strategic infrastructures are subjected to the most severe climatic conditions. In Quebec, 35% of the ±10000 bridges still need to be rehabilitated for gravity loads and durability [1]. This rehabilitation process quickly becomes a never ending cycle due to the limited durability of repairs with conventional concrete. Knowledge gained in the past decades on the seismic hazard and on the deficiencies of several concrete structures demonstrated the vulnerability of structures built before 1980. This particularly affects bridges in densely populated regions of Canada. In fact, 80% of bridges in Quebec were built prior to modern seismic provisions, from which only a very few have been rehabilitated to conform to current seismic standards. This affects many lifeline and major-route bridges.Combining conventional reinforcements with fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) and ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) has been shown to be the most promising technical and economical solution for designing, rehabilitating and strengthening structural elements due to their exceptional structural performances and durability [12,13]. Although they are slowly but surely being introduced by some jurisdictions worldwide and in Canada in limited pilot projects, Canada's standards and industries are not yet prepared for implementing these innovative materials. Several issues still need to be addressed before sound and robust specifications become mandatory for the design and rehabilitation of concrete structures. This is the aim of this research proposal which focusses on developing knowledge, analytical tools, and design requirements to be implemented in the Canadian Bridge Code for using these innovative materials in structural applications based on rational principles.This application includes four projects that combine large scale testing on structural members, material testing, and nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) for assessing the behaviour of structural elements at member or local levels. Two projects are related with the seismic rehabilitation and design of concrete bridge piers: 1) on the plastic hinge length and strain penetration in footings of large rectangular bridge piers, and 2) on the confining effect of UHPFRC active cover and reinforcement on column strength for seismic rehabilitation, or for accelerated bridge construction (ABC) projects. Two projects focus on developing design requirements for introducing FRC and UHPFRC in the Canadian Bridge Code: 3) on the bond strength of anchored and lapped reinforcing bars in UHPFRC and 4) one the development of a reliability framework for designing with FRC and UHPFRC. The project will be realised with a well-balanced group of HQPs: one senior research associate, one PDF, and 4 PhD, 8 MSc students and a minimum of 10 undergraduate students.