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

加拿大不仅面临财政危机，而且面临基础设施危机。 安大略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。该项目采用了一种新的桥梁快速施工技术，简单耐用，使用寿命更长。 现成的玻璃纤维节段将用作桥面混凝土浇筑的开口模板。它们将永久留在原地，提供加固，取代底层的内部钢筋。玻璃纤维钢筋将用作顶层钢筋。 钢筋腐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位且无腐蚀性，该项目有望解决主要问题：交通延误和道路封闭损害经济;混凝土硬化后拆除模板的可达性，以及桥面暴露于除冰盐。将使用该技术构建结构模型，并在实验室中进行失效测试，以评估其性能，强度和失效模式。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，该项目的结果有望节省大量用于基础设施维修或更换的税款，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。申请人已经广泛研究了作为封闭形式的填充玻璃纤维管的混凝土。他现在是该领域的领导者，担任加拿大研究主席。他还将扩展这项工作，开发和研究新的交通标志结构和桥梁支柱。 在资助期间，6名博士生和6名硕士生将被培养为未来的工程师，能够满怀信心和热情地将技术从实验室转移到现场。培训涉及批判性思维，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。申请人以前的格拉德生受雇于顶级行业，包括麦考密克R。德尔坎和MTO（桥梁），霍尔索尔（建筑），和2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.