First use of GFRP bars as reinforcement for continuous reinforced concrete pavement

The corrosion resistance characteristics of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars make them a promising substitute for conventional steel reinforcing bars in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements (CRCP). However, GFRP bars have never been used in a CRCP highway exhibiting regular traffic. This paper presents the steps that were followed in order to adapt the design and construction of eighteen full-scale CRCP slabs on Highway 40 East (Montréal) reinforced with GFRP bars. The test slabs represent a 150 m long section of the highway with the full width. Each slab in the test section is 25 m long and 3.7 m wide. The eighteen slabs were designed and constructed to investigate the different parameters known to affect the performance of such CRCP slabs. Varieties of sensors were installed in this project in order to monitor the early-age behavior, repeated load effects, and environmental conditions on the performance of the CRCP slabs. This includes different types of electrical resistance strain gauges and fiber optic sensors (FOS) to measure reinforcement and concrete strains. In addition, thermocouples and FOS have been used for temperature measurements. Design concepts, construction details, properties of used materials, early-age behavior and preliminary results of this first use of GFRP bars in CRCP slabs are presented in this paper.