Development of cost-effective PL-3 concrete bridge barrier reinforced with sand-coated glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars: static load tests
One of the main factors concerning durability and service life of steel-reinforced bridges is corrosion of steel bars especially when exposed to a harsh environment. The use of glass fibre reinforcing polymer (GFRP) bars as non-corrosive material has emerged as an innovative solution to corrosion related problems, reduce the maintenance cost, and increase the service life of bridge structures. A recent cost-effective design of PL-3 bridge barrier was developed at Ryerson University incorporating high-modulus GFRP bars with headed ends. This paper presents results of full-scale static tests to collapse performed on the developed PL-3 bridge barrier at interior and exterior locations to investigate the ultimate load carrying capacity to be compared with Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC). The experimental ultimate load carrying capacity of the barriers was observed to be far greater than CHBDC factored design transverse load. The failure pattern was initiated by a trapezoidal crack pattern at the front face of the barrier, followed by punching shear failure at the transverse load location. Based on the punching shear failure developed in the barrier wall and comparison with available punching shear equations in the literature, an empirical punching shear equation is proposed to determine the transverse load carrying capacity of PL-3 bridge barrier walls reinforced with GFRP bars.