Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering

Publications

Partial Safety Factors for Prestressed Concrete Girders Strengthened with CFRP Laminates

Publication . Dias-da-Costa, D.; Neves, L. A. C.; Gomes, S.; Graça-e-Costa, R.; Hadigheh, S. A.; Fernandes, P.

This paper provides a framework for the calibration of partial safety factors in prestressed concrete (PC) girders strengthened in flexure with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. A hybrid approach was proposed to take advantage of comprehensive nonlinear numerical models in reliability analysis using a first-order reliability method (FORM) in conjunction with the response surface method (RSM). The PC girders selected for analyses were taken from real structures designed and built in the 1980s based on old standards that now require strengthening and upgrade due to partial corrosion of the prestressing strands. Using the proposed approach, a sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most relevant variables and assess the area of CFRP laminates needed to restore capacity up to new design standards. A partial safety factor was proposed for strengthening PC girders using CFRP laminates. Sensitivity analysis showed that traffic loads and model uncertainties are the most important variables for calibration.

2019-12-04Journal article

Open access

Keywords

Structures and infrastructures,Sustainability,Innovation and advanced technology,Conservation/rehabilitation of built environment, Engineering and technology

Funding agency

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.

Funding programme

Financiamento do Plano Estratégico de Unidades de I&D - 2013/2015 - OE

Funding Award Number

UID/ECI/04029/2013