Temperature effects on full scale frp bridge using innovative composite components

Abstract

Numerous large-scale demonstrator projects around the world have shown the viability of composite materials for bridge applications. Most of the projects have been directed towards the better understanding of bridge behaviour in strength and serviceability. However, the behaviour under different environmental conditions and longer term effects on durability are yet to be fully understood. This paper presents the results of an investigation on effects of temperature change into the structural behaviour of a FRP demonstrator trial bridge. It was installed at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba Campus using innovative sandwich composites. It has been found that temperatures in different locations of the bridge vary for different locations within the bridge. The variation is found to reverse during day and night time. Based on the meas-ured temperature variation, some important recommendations are provided on the effects of temperature for innovative fibre composite bridge. © Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.