Durability Assessment of Externally Bonded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite Repairs in Bridge

Final Report (PDF)

Tech Brief (PDF)

Project TitleDurability Assessment of Externally Bonded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite Repairs in Bridge
UniversityUniversity of Delaware
Principal Investigator(s)Jovan Tatar
Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization)UDEL Fed: $67,857
UDEL Match: $67,966
Total Project Cost$135,823
Start and End Dates02/01/2020 - 07/31/2021
Brief Description of Research ProjectThe proposed project seeks to assess the long-term
performance and effectiveness of fiber-reinforced polymer
(FRP) composites in facilitating rapid structural renewal of
deteriorated concrete bridges in the Federal Region 3.
Although FRP composites have been extensively used to
strengthen and repair deteriorating bridges across the country
[1] – data warranting their long-term performance is lacking.
The need for research on the durability of FRP composites for
infrastructure was highlighted in a recent congressional
hearing* and a National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) report [2]. The state of Delaware has the
first (1994) externally bonded FRP repair installed on a
publicly owned bridge in its inventory, offering a unique
opportunity to study the durability characteristics of these
materials over a timespan of over 25 years and contribute to a
prominent national research need