Assessment of Bridge Decks with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Reinforcement

Summary:

Bridge decks in Minnesota are exposed to harsh climate conditions, chlorides from road salts, and freeze-thaw cycles. Typically, steel rebars are embedded in the concrete to reinforce the deck. But the concrete can crack and allow water to seep in, causing rusting of the steel rebars and further concrete cracking. An emerging nonmetallic material, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), may be an effective and longer-lasting alternative to steel rebars. MnDOT built two side-by-side bridges—one using steel rebars and the other using GFRP rebars as deck reinforcement—on Trunk Highway 169. Building on previous research of Minnesota’s first bridge using GFRP, researchers used this unique opportunity to directly compare the bridges that were subjected to the same environmental and traffic conditions. They found that the structural performance of the GFRP-reinforced bridge deck was comparable (if not better than) the steel-reinforced one. Also, they determined GFRP has the capacity to last longer and be more cost-effective. MnDOT will continue to monitor the performance of the bridge decks and decide if further use of GFRP is warranted.

Final Deliverables:

• Report #2023-13
• Research Summary

Related Materials:

Related Research:

• Field Investigation of Bridge Deck Reinforced with GFRP Rebar