Concrete bridge components using stay-in-place structural forms for rapid construction

加拿大不仅面临财政危机，还面临基础设施危机。安大略省15,000座桥梁中约有32%需要修复或更换。在魁北克，这一比例为52%，估计成本为50亿美元。本项目介绍了一种快速施工桥梁的新技术，该技术简单耐用，使用寿命更长。现成的玻璃纤维部分将用作混凝土浇筑桥面的敞口模板。它们将永久留在原地，提供加固以取代内部钢筋的底层。玻璃纤维钢筋将被用作加固的顶层。钢筋锈蚀是迫在眉睫的基础设施危机的主要原因。由于玻璃纤维模板留在原地，而且不具腐蚀性，该项目承诺解决主要问题：损害经济的交通延误和道路封闭；混凝土硬化后拆卸模板的便利性；以及桥面暴露在除冰盐中。将利用该技术建立结构模型，并在实验室进行破坏测试，以评估其性能、强度和破坏模式。将开发数学模型，使用测试结果进行验证，并用于参数研究，为工程师制定设计指南。事实上，该项目的结果承诺，在基础设施修复或更换上花费的税款将大幅节省，使这些资金能够用于其他投资，以改善加拿大人的生活质量。申请人广泛研究了玻璃纤维管混凝土作为封闭式模板。他现在是该领域的领导者，担任加拿大研究主席。他还将把这项工作扩展到开发和研究新的交通标志结构和桥梁支柱。在资助期间，6名博士和6名硕士学生将接受培训，成为未来的工程师，能够满怀信心和热情地将技术从实验室转移到现场。培训包括批判性思维、解决问题、实践经验、实验室测试、数据分析、计算机建模、技术写作、演示、团队合作和网络。申请人以前的研究生被顶尖行业聘用，包括McCormick R.，Delcan和MTO(桥梁)，Halsall(建筑)，2人成为大学教授。

Canada is facing not only a fiscal crisis but also an infrastructure crisis. About 32% of Ontario's 15,000 bridges need rehabilitation or replacement. In Québec, this percentage is 52%, with an estimated cost of $5B. This project introduces a new technology for rapid bridge construction that is simple and durable for longer service life. Readily available fiberglass sections will be used as open-forms for concrete casting of bridge decks. They will be left in place permanently, providing reinforcement that replaces the bottom layer of internal steel bars. Fiberglass bars will be used as the top layer of reinforcement. Corrosion of steel bars is a major contributor to the looming infrastructure crisis. Because fiberglass forms are left in place and are noncorrosive, the project promises solutions for major problems: traffic delays and road closures that hurt the economy; accessibility for removal of forms after concrete hardening, and bridge deck exposure to deicing salts. Structural models will be built using this technology and tested to failure in the lab, to evaluate their performance, strength and failure mode. Mathematical models will be developed, verified using test results and used in parametric studies to develop design guides for engineers. Indeed, results of the project promise substantial savings in tax dollars spent on infrastructure repair or replacement, allowing these funds to be used in other investments to improve quality of life for Canadians. The applicant has extensively studied concrete filled fiberglass tubes as closed forms. He is now a leader in the field, holding a Canada Research Chair. He will also extend this work to develop and study new traffic-sign structures and bridge pillars. During the funding period, 6 PhD and 6 MSc students will be trained as future engineers capable of transferring technology from the lab to the field with confidence and enthusiasm. Training involves critical thinking, problem solving, hands-on experience, lab testing, data analysis, computer modeling, technical writing, presenting, team work and networking. The applicant's former grad students were hired by top industries, including McCormick R., Delcan and MTO (bridges), Halsall (buildings), and 2 became university professors.