Coupled thermal-Stress Simulation of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bridge Deck

Amjad J. Aref, Methee Chiewanichakorn, and Wael Alnahhal
University at Buffalo – State University of New York, USA

Thermal degradation of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is one of the most significant and overlooked aspects composite material applications.  Coupled thermal-stress analysis was conducted using the Abaqus FEA product suite to study thermal behavior of a fiber reinforced polymer bridge deck under different fire scenarios that represent a burning fully-loaded oil truck.  FRP materials are very sensitive to elevated temperatures and can rapidly lose their strength as temperature increases. In addition, truck gravity loads can play an important role in accelerating deck failure at high temperature.  The figure shows a contour plot of vertical deck displacement when subjected to a burning truck between 3rd and 4th floor-beams.  The results can be used to predict burning time until bridge deck starts to fail, so that the authority immediately reacts to avoid any collapse due to a major fire incident.

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