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Virginia Tech

A Load-Deflection Study of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics as Reinforcement in Concrete Bridge Decks

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Approximately fifty percent of the bridges in the United States are considered deficient. The deterioration of the concrete components is a leading cause of the problem. The deterioration of concrete bridge decks is due primarily to corrosion of the reinforcing steel in the concrete. A promising solution to the problem is the use of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) as a replacement for reinforcing steel. The use of FRP as reinforcement has the following advantages of lightweight, high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, flexibility, and electromagnetic resistance. This paper looks at the use of FRP as reinforcement in concrete beams and compares the information from deflection measurements of different configurations. Also, a material cost comparison is made to determine the cost of using the FRP reinforcement over standard steel reinforcement. Concrete bridge deck systems are designed using steel and fiber-reinforced plastics and allowable stress and load resistance factor methods. Recommendations for further study and uses of FRP are made.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Civil Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Civil Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1997

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Boyd, Curtis Barton
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Barker, Richard M.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Murray, Thomas M.
  • Weyers, Richard E.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-4814221949711381
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/9591

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Boyd, Curtis Barton. A Load-Deflection Study of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics as Reinforcement in Concrete Bridge Decks. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/9591