C-Grid as Shear Reinforcement in Concrete Bridge Girders

Corrosion of reinforcing steel causes shorter life spans in bridges throughout the United States. The use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials as the flexural reinforcement in bridge girders has been extensively studied. However, CFRP transverse reinforcement has not been as rigorously investigated, and many studies have focused on CFCC stirrups. The use of C-Grid as an option for transverse reinforcing has not been previously investigated. This thesis concludes that C-Grid is a viable shear design option and presents the initial recommendations for design methods. These methods provide a basis for the design of C-Grid shear reinforcing that could be used as a starting point for future testing of full scale specimens.

This testing program first determined the mechanical properties of C-Grid and its development length. Four 18 ft long 19 in. deep beams, modeled after prestressed Bulb-T beams, were created to test the C-Grid, as well as steel and CFCC stirrups. The beams were loaded with a single point load closer to one end to create a larger shear load for a given flexural moment. Overall beam displacement was measured to determine when flexural reinforcement yielding was reached, and beams were fitted with rosettes and instrumentation to capture initiation of shear cracking. Shear capacity calculations following four methods were compared to test results.

The design method should follow the AASHTO modified compression field theory with equations for β and θ. The manufacturer's guaranteed strength should be used for design as long as that strength is the average reduced by three standard deviations. Shear crack widths are controlled to a similar size as steel stirrups when using at least two layers of grid.