Cost-Effective, Structural Stay-in-Place Formwork System of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer for Accelerated and Durable Bridge Deck Construction

This paper describes research on the evolution of a cost-effective, structural stay-in-place (SIP) formwork bridge deck system with an integrated modular three-dimensional fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement cage. Recent research conducted at the University of Wisconsin is reviewed to show the evolution of the reinforcing system to include an integral FRP SIP form. The evolution occurred through laboratory testing, which was followed by the design and construction of two bridge structures owned by the State of Wisconsin. Each structure used different FRP reinforcement and formwork. These projects pointed out the need for a competitive SIP formwork to be used in conjunction with FRP reinforcement. Two specimens with different FRP reinforcement and SIP formwork arrangements were tested. Full-scale deck slab specimens were tested by applying a simulated wheel design load to investigate the static response, ultimate capacity, and failure mechanism. The most economical FRP reinforcing system has been implemented in a superstructure replacement project in Greene County, Missouri.