CONCRETE BRIDGE BARRIERS REINFORCED WITH GLASS FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITE BARS

Recent expansion of highway networks has increased the need to provide corrosion-free reinforced concrete components for highway bridges. This paper describes an extensive research program that investigated the behavior of 2 types of bridge barriers--PL-2 and PL-3--reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. The geometry, concrete dimensions, and reinforcement of both PL-2 and PL-3 barriers were based on the new Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. Sand-coated GFRP bars and conventional steel bars were used in the experimental study. The performance of barriers reinforced with GFRP bars was evaluated and compared with that of their counterparts reinforced with steel. Results indicate that the behavior of PL-2 and PL-3 concrete bridge barriers reinforced with GFRP bars is very similar to their counterparts reinforced with conventional steel in terms of cracking, deflections, strains, energy absorption, integrity, and ultimate strength.