Form-finding framework for monocoque sandwich composite bridges: An optimisation tool for the preliminary design of bridges

FRP is increasingly utilised in the built environment, following successful implementations in the aerospace and marine industry. However, it exhibits poor stiffness and stability compared to conventional materials such as steel, making it challenging to satisfy serviceability and comfort requirements. Optimising FRP to address these challenges...

Design of demountable iSRR connectors on oversized holes subjected to wheel loading

As many bridges in the Netherlands are past their design-life and yet still have well-functioning steel superstructures, their bridge decks are often due to be replaced. FRP panels are promising alternatives to concrete decks for these renovation works due to their low density, fast on-site construction time, and excellent acoustic and thermal...

Pre-Design Assessment of Demountable Short Superstructures

Rijkswaterstaat aims to build circularly from 2030 onward, with the purpose of having a fully circular economy by 2050. Therefore, the aim of this study is to design a reusable modular superstructure, with a small span, which can replace an existing so-called volstortligger superstructure. This is a structure that Dura Vermeer often uses and it...

Prediction of thermal behavior of FRP deck with iSRR- Connector

Hybrid structures consisting of FRP(fiber reinforce polymer) composite decks<br/>connected to a steel girder superstructure are gaining more attention by combining the stiffness of steel members with good fatigue endurance and high strength to weight ratio of FRP. However, when composite material FRP is exposed to elevated temperature,...

Development of testing methods for the fatigue crack propagation in steel shot reinforced resins: An experimental and numerical approach towards a promising type of test and geometry for characterizing the fatigue crack propagation of SRR

The increasing traffic load on highway bridges provides a need for replacement or improvement of the bridge decks. The design of a new bridge deck using fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks raises questions on the connection of a FRP bridge deck to a steel superstructure. At the Tu Delft a bolted connector injected with steel reinforced...

Design and optimization of FRP traffic decks considering uplift bolt forces: Based on analytical and numerical approaches

This research is about which geometry of FRP slabs is the most optimal, in terms of costs, to use for a given load and boundary conditions taking the occurring uplift bolt forces into account. The first part of the report focuses on the calculation of the uplift forces in the bolted connections caused by the moving loads. For this, first a...

Non-linear buckling analysis of GFRP plates: A numerical approach with progressive failure analysis

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) has increased rapidly in popularity in the past few decades. The material's advantageous properties, such as a high strength-to-weight ratio and low required maintenance, gave rise to its popularity in multiple major engineering branches. Buckling behaviour develops due to the notably low stiffness-to-strength...

Shear force in bolted connections for hybrid steel-FRP bridges: Due to traffic, temperature and fatigue loading

Fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) can be a solution for future bridge renovation when only the deck of the bridge needs replacement. In these cases the deck is replaced with an FRP sandwich panel deck. The main advantages are a high strength-to-weight ratio which is beneficial for the ever heavier lorries and the fast installation which prevents...