The proposed research program is designed to investigate the feasibility of using the most efficient externally bonded FRP repair/strengthening system to rehabilitate AASHTO prestressed concrete bridge girders damaged due to accident or collision impact causing loss of prestressing and/or spalling of concrete. The research will be conducted on AASHTO Type II girder from Bridge No. 169 in Robeson County in the State of North Carolina. The proposed project will investigate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of externally bonded FRP sheet and strip repair/strengthening systems using prestressed channel beams to be supplied by NCDOT from existing bridges. The Maintenance Department also recommended to extend the investigation to include Near-Surface-Mounted (NSM) FRP bars and strips for the prestressed channel beams. The NSM system is envisioned to be a valuable system for these type of applications. The research consists of an experimental program to examine the flexural behavior under the effect of static and fatigue loadings that closely simulate field conditions.
