Bridge Case Study: What a Contractor Needs to Know on an FRP Reinforcement Project

Abstract

Civil works construction is now facing a transformational change with the growing implementation of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials as rebars and tendons for concrete structures. To avoid surprises and decrease risk, a contractor must be cognizant of FRP’s differences with traditional steel reinforcement in terms of procurement, quality control, and installation. A bridge replacement project under construction in Florida is presented in this paper as a case study to address the technology’s constructability and adaptability in a number of structural elements for both substructure and superstructure. The paper also provides some productivity considerations for the case of FRP reinforcing cage assembly in terms of work hours, including a comparison with the traditional steel solution. The case study points out critical issues such as procurement, acceptance, and workforce experience that can provide guidance for both implementation and standardization of the technology.