Shear Strengthening of AASHTO Bridge Girders Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Sheets

This paper summarizes research findings on the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets for shear strengthening of pretensioned AASHTO bridge girders. The research includes an experimental program conducted at the University of Manitoba using scale models of pretensioned concrete girders in composite action with the deck slab. Seven ten meter long beams were strengthened with three different types of CFRP sheets using ten different configurations and were tested to failure at each end. The paper describes the experimental program, test results, failure mechanisms and the effectiveness of each configuration of CFRP sheets. A rational model is introduced to define the contribution of the CFRP sheets to the shear resistance in addition to the contributions provided by the stirrups and the concrete for I-shaped pretensioned concrete members. Test results are used to verify the proposed model.