A Novel Fiber-Reinforced Composite Bridge Structural System

An integral fiber reinforced plastic bridge structural system is proposed. The design concept is carefully engineered to incorporate new high performance structural materials. As a result, a number of special features evolved to produce an efficient bridge design. Along with structural system development, a design methodology is presented which consists of two stages. First, an optimal preliminary design based on a simplified model is obtained. The combination of a simplified model based on the Ritz solution of a transformed plate with a formal optimization scheme produced an effective tool for preliminary design. Second, detailed finite element analyses are performed to investigate the strength, stiffness and buckling performance of the structure. Design examples are considered to demonstrate the capabilities of this structural system and to study the important features. The design is compared with other fiber reinforced plastic bridges and with a traditional steel-concrete system. The analysis of several design cases shows that stiffness requirements govern the design and the margins of safety for material and structural failures are high.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Aref, Amjad Jalal-Eddin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Parsons, I.D.

• Engineering, Civil

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9717249

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/83423