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。该桥梁奖的研究目标是建立一种基于性能的设计方法，以反映使用芳纶纤维增强聚合物（AFRP）预应力的桥梁系统在使用、循环（疲劳）和极限载荷下的响应。验证将通过在两个全尺寸试件上进行实验测试来进行，该试件由一个连续板和两个灯泡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校准预测计算模型。实验验证的模型将用于获得对桥梁系统的行为和使用极限状态的新见解，特别是在极限荷载下。重点还放在AFRP肌腱的材料特性，预应力损失，骨料类型对预应力损失的影响，以及桥梁系统的短期和长期耐久性。计算钢筋预应力损失的标准方法将用于通过用AFRP筋的弹性模量代替钢筋的弹性模量来测量由于蠕变、收缩和弹性缩短而造成的损失。由于缺乏足够的实验数据，人们对AFRP肌腱的松弛损失曲线了解较少，因此将根据收集的实验数据来确定松弛损失。如果成功，这项研究的结果将增加AFRP预应力筋的知识库，用于设计和性能建议的实施，不仅可以提高桥梁的可持续性，还可以用于其他结构，如存在于高腐蚀性环境中的海洋结构。该研究与一项教育计划相结合，该计划的教育目标是通过与工程学院合作，通过校园参观促进外展活动，让德克萨斯州大都市地区的学生（包括代表性不足的少数民族）接触工程，从而促进STEM学习。实验室演示和实践活动计划告知学生土木工程领域存在的就业机会，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.