Project Summary

Recent and ongoing research has highlighted the need to better understand and quantify web shear capacity as well as the shortcomings of current design methodologies for fiber-reinforced polymer tub girders (CT girders). This project will directly address these issues by increasing the efficiency and simplifying design of this new bridge technology through the creation and documentation of rigorous yet tractable methods for web shear design while optimizing the use of relatively costly composite materials. This research project will employ field testing as well as finite-element analysis, includes direct collaboration with an industrial partner who produces the CT girders, and will complement the ongoing development of a CT girder design guide that is funded by the MaineDOT.