FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE REAL WORLD

Many existing bridges are in need of replacement or rehabilitation. A new method of repair for reinforced concrete structures using sprayed fibre reinforced polymer (SFRP) coatings is described. Developed by the University of British Columbia in Canada, the method involves spraying polymer and short, randomly distributed fibres on the concrete surface. The spray process and equipment are described. The laboratory performance of sprayed full-scale bridge girders was compared with that of girders retrofitted with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps. Both retrofit techniques had the ability to increase member stiffness, but the SFRP was more effective than the fibre wrap. The SFRP process was used to rehabilitate Safe Bridge, Vancouver Island in Canada.