ABSTRACT
Damaged and deficient structures can prove to be among the biggest obstructions in an otherwise resilient community. An innovative rehabilitation technique was developed for the upgrade of such structures. The main component that helped build resilience in these structures were fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). The associated lab investigation for one of the structures estimated that the observed damage caused about a 20% reduction in the capacity of the columns and much larger reductions in the ductility and energy-dissipating capacity. The experimental results also showed that the strength and ductility of these structures could be more than recovered by repairing them using the developed techniques, which employed appropriately suitable grouts and FRP.
Long-term monitoring of three field columns upgraded using the developed techniques displayed excellent performance over 20 years of service life of the bridge. Monitoring has also shown a continuous reduction in the rate and the associated risk of corrosion over time providing a more durable retrofitting technique than traditional ones such as steel jacketing. It was concluded that resilience could be built into deficient or damaged structures through innovative, durable techniques that are economical and superior to traditional methods.
