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Selected Works of Steve Eugene Watkins
Article
Design and Technologies for a Smart Composite Bridge
Proceedings of the 7th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2004
  • K. Chandrashekhara, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Prakash Kumar
  • Steve Eugene Watkins, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Antonio Nanni, Missouri University of Science and Technology
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Abstract

An all-composite, smart bridge design for shortspan applications is described. The bridge dimensions are 9.14-m (30-ft.) long and 2.74-m (9-ft.) wide. A modular construction based on assemblies of pultruded fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) composite tubes is used to meet American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) H20 highway load ratings. The hollow tubes are 76 mm (3 in.) square and are made of carbon/vinyl-ester and glass/vinyl-ester. An extensive experimental study was carried out to obtain and compare properties (stiffness, strength, and failure modes) for a quarter portion of the full-sized bridge. The bridge response was measured for design loading, two-million-cycle fatigue loading, and ultimate load capacity. In addition to meeting H20 load criteria, the test article showed almost no reduction in stiffness or strength under fatigue loading and excellent linear elastic behavior up to failure. Fiber optic strain sensors were evaluated on the test article during testing. Sensor characteristics are determined as preparation for permanent field installation.

Meeting Name
7th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2004
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Second Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Third Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
  • 2.74 M,
  • 3 In,
  • 30 Ft,
  • 76 Mm,
  • 9 Ft,
  • 9.14 M,
  • AASHTO H20 Highway Load Ratings,
  • American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
  • H20 Load Criteria,
  • Bridges (Structures),
  • Carbon,
  • Design Loading,
  • Fatigue,
  • Fatigue Loading,
  • Fiber Optic Strain Sensors,
  • Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite Tubes,
  • Fibre Optic Sensors,
  • Fibre Reinforced Composites,
  • Filled Polymers,
  • Glass,
  • Hollow Tubes,
  • Linear Elastic Behavior,
  • Modular Construction,
  • Smart Composite Bridge Design,
  • Stiffness Reduction,
  • Transportation,
  • Ultimate Load Capacity,
  • Vinyl-Ester
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2004 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
1-1-2004
Publication Date
01 Jan 2004
Disciplines
Citation Information
K. Chandrashekhara, Prakash Kumar, Steve Eugene Watkins and Antonio Nanni. "Design and Technologies for a Smart Composite Bridge" Proceedings of the 7th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2004 (2004)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steve-watkins/21/