Field Demonstration Projects
Manitoba

Bishop Grandin Boulevard

The Bishop Grandin Boulevard extension, constructed in 1998, is the site of the first Canadian field application of FRP dowels in concrete pavements.

Dowels are generally used in transverse concrete pave-ment joints to transfer the load across the joint and prevent joint faulting. Epoxy coated steel dowels are typically used for this application, and many failures are attributed to the expansive forces experienced during the oxidation of the steel and the subsequent dowel looseness.  Static and cyclic tests conducted in the laboratory prior to the field installation indicated that the glass FRP dowel joints would, in fact, be more effective than the steel dowel joints. Approximately 26,000 vehicles per day travel on this pavement section, and thus far no pavement distresses have been reported.  The City of Winnipeg and ISIS Canada continue to monitor the pavement performance at the site.

This demonstration project is a joint achievement of the City of Winnipeg, UMA Engineering and ISIS Canada.

Back

Brookside Cemetery Marker Mountings

In the fall of 2001, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and Heritage Conservation Services Canada (HCS) initiated a study on marker mountings that are rapidly deteriorating at Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This research project addresses two conditions believed to be deleterious to the anchor assembly for the marker: mechanical (i.e. service load) and environmental (i.e. frost action and exposure to moisture) conditions. The investigation focuses on the mechanism of degradation of the anchor assembly system and GFRP reinforcement concrete support beams under synergetic effect of chemical and mechanical processes and harsh environmental conditions.

Five variables are being considered in the laboratory investigation: marker mounting methods; concrete type used for the supporting beams; reinforcement/rod type; adhesive type; and method of support beam emplacement. The testing program focuses on three structural anchor assembly types: pinning, pocket and bumper. The anchor marker assembly is subjected to an accelerated aging regime that represents the long-term exposure to the actual environment. The bond degradation is quantified with a direct pull-out test, and deterioration of the reinforced concrete supporting beams is quantified by monitoring the changes in the mechanical properties with lateral loading, shear and bending tests.

Back

Esplanade Riel Pedestrian Bridge

The Esplanade Riel pedestrian Bridge in Winnipeg, Manitoba is a modern cable-stayed structure, light and elegant, featuring a large plaza for commercial activities -- a meeting place that will connect Provencher Boulevard to The Forks physically, economically and culturally. Construction of this structure commenced in September 2002 as the second phase of the Provencher Paired Bridges project that includes a new vehicular bridge.

The bridges are expected to strengthen the connection between The Forks and the St. Boniface French Quarter, becoming a symbolic gateway between two of Winnipeg's most historically significant communities and promoting commerce and tourism.

Owned by the City of Winnipeg and designed by Wardrop Engineering, this 200-m long bridge has a concrete deck, steel stay-cables and a 60-m post-tensioned concrete pylon encased in a steel jacket. The 5-m wide deck is being built using a segmental construction technique with post-tensioned concrete. The City of Winnipeg has committed over $200,000 towards a structural health monitoring (SHM) plan for the purpose of assessing the in-service performance of the innovative bridge design and providing a decision-making program that will optimize long-term maintenance costs. This monitoring program will measure movement, traffic flow, wind speed and direction, stay cable forces and strains, ambient temperature, temperature gradient, and 3-D acceleration of the deck and pylon. ISIS Canada will supplement the City’s plan with the installation of 20 fibre optic sensors, lead wires, and a fibre Bragg grating strain indicator, and will play a key role in implementation of the decision-making software.

Back

Golden Boy

Standing atop of the Legislative Building is one of Manitoba's best-known symbols, the Golden Boy. The sculpture was cast in 1918 at the Barbedienne Foundry in Paris. Artist Charles Gardent first sculpted the primary model in 1917. Mounted on the very pinnacle of the Manitoba Legislative Building in 1919, the distinguished statue carries a sheaf of grain symbolizing the fruits of labour in one hand, while his other hand holds aloft a torch and, like the winged messenger of Greek mythology, he strides forward calling upon the youth of Manitoba to join in the pursuit of building a more prosperous future.

In October 2000, the Manitoba government embarked on the restoration and repair of the Golden Boy, because a careful examination and technical study of the statue revealed a need for major repairs and replacement of the central support structure. It was decided that the famous statue had to be taken down to ensure that it could be properly repaired and restored to ensure its integrity and safety for future generations. On February 9, 2002, the 1,650-kilogram (3,640-pound) Golden Boy was removed from his perch, and as a treasured historical icon, every precaution was taken during the process to protect the statue. Restoration was completed during the summer of 2002 and Golden Boy was reinstalled in September 2002, in time for the visit of Queen Elizabeth.

ISIS Canada designed and installed a structural health monitoring system for Golden Boy, consisting of three types of gauges: accelerometers, strain gauges, electric resistance and fibre optic, and temperature sensors.

Two accelerometers placed at the top of the column that supports the statue will measure the beat, or vibration, of the Golden Boy. The top of the support column inside the Golden Boy comes to about chest height, close to where the Golden Boy's heart would be if it were human. Just like measuring the human heart rate provides us with valuable health information, measuring the beat rate provides valuable structural health information. If the accelerometers give a reading outside the normal range, further examination into the health of the structure is required. The accelerometers measure movement in three directions. As wind and various weather systems cause the Golden Boy and his support column to move or vibrate, the accelerometers will detect these motions.

The second type of gauge will measure strain. Strain is caused in the support column by the action of the wind on the Golden Boy. The strain gauges will be placed in several locations around the support column, near the foot on which the Golden Boy is standing. A combination of strain gauges and Bragg grating fibre optic sensors will monitor normal ranges of strain on the column support. If the strain readings fall outside the normal range, an alert is provided to potential structural health issues well before a major problem develops.

Temperature sensors are the third type of gauge used on the Golden Boy. These will measure temperature, which has a direct effect on the material properties of the column.

With access to these three state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, the Golden Boy's health will be well monitored. This is a very important step for moving the care of the statue away from a high cost, acute care method of maintenance towards a more cost efficient, preventative health care model of maintenance. Much like today's surgery techniques, structural health monitoring of the Golden Boy is non-invasive to the statue itself. The sensors are mounted on the support column only.

Back

Hog Waste Storage Facilities

Hog waste storage constitutes a major concern for confined animal production systems. Expanding levels of production are making the conditions even more severe. In some cases, environmental concerns relating to earthen lagoons have led to a requirement for structures more impervious to the elements. In many cases, reinforced concrete has been used for these structures, but the hostile service environment associated with hog waste storage has led to a relatively short useful life, due to the corrosion of the reinforcing steel, which leads to concrete deterioration. This, in turn, releases waste into the soil to the detriment of ground water supplies.

The use of FRPs can eliminate problems related to corrosion and, therefore, enable these structures to withstand such harsh service conditions. This research investigates the use of FRPs when installed in conditions similar to hog waste storage tanks. If they are found to provide improved performance relative to steel, they will provide industry with the knowledge and opportunity to design and build safer and more economical hog waste storage facilities. The research includes developing innovative design procedures for concrete storage tanks reinforced with FRP. The advantage of composite materials as a group is that they are non-corrosive. This research determines the type of FRPs that are most economical and capable of withstanding a severe storage environment.

In addition to the use of FRP reinforcements in storage tanks, this concept could also be applicable for other markets in animal production systems, in particular, reinforcement for slats, floors, and waste handling systems within production buildings.

Back

Maryland Street Bridge

In 1999, the City of Winnipeg implemented a trial application of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets as a first step in upgrading the shear capacity of the Maryland Street bridge in Winnipeg. The twin five-span continuous precast prestressed concrete structures were designed and constructed in 1969. However, analysis using current codes indicates that the shear strength of the I-shaped girders is not sufficient to withstand today's increased truck loads. An experimental study was conducted by ISIS Canada at the University of Manitoba to examine the use of carbon FRP sheets on this particular girder shape. Four girders have since been strengthened using the sheets which were placed vertically with a horizontal layer placed across the top and bottom of the web.

Patching the four girders is actually phase two of this multi-phased project. Phase one consisted of testing the strength of FRPs on scale beams in the University of Manitoba's McQuade Structures Laboratory. The $160,000 laboratory tests were financed jointly by the University of Manitoba, ISIS Canada, and the City of Winnipeg.

The tests began in 1996 with seven 10-metre long beams. They were strengthened using various types of carbon FRP sheets in ten different configurations. They were then tested to shear failure at each end to determine the most efficient shear strengthening scheme for the Maryland bridge's I-shaped girders. During the testing phase, contractors participated in the process of wrapping (strengthening) the beams. Work crews from Concrete Restoration Services Ltd. and Vector Construction Group took part in applying the composite material and its epoxy-resin base in preparation of the field application. Two girders were strengthened by Vector Construction Ltd. using the MBrace™ system manufactured by Master Builders Inc., and two girders were strengthened by Concrete Restoration Services Ltd. using the Replark™ system manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.

Phase Two has been completed with four of the Maryland bridge girders strengthened. Horizontal and vertical strain gauges were applied so that the structure can be monitored. ISIS Canada engineers will determine how the technique stands up to Winnipeg's extreme climates.

There are numerous concrete structures throughout Winnipeg which are currently restricted to carrying weights well below the legal limits. The preliminary research conducted for the Maryland bridge will result in substantial savings amounting to millions of dollars because it can be applied to numerous other bridges.

Back

North Perimeter Bridge Deck Replacement

In the first implementation in Manitoba of the steel free bridge deck technology developed by ISIS researchers, ISIS Canada collaborated with Earth Tech Canada Inc. and the Manitoba Department of Transportation to implement the steel free deck on the North Perimeter Bridge replacement. This innovative deck is expected to last longer and require less maintenance compared to conventional steel reinforced concrete bridge decks. It has been instrumented and is being monitored for its performance.

Back

Norwood Bridge

The Norwood Bridge is a complex precast reinforced concrete structure and because of this, Reid Crowther & Partners Ltd. wanted to accurately and readily observe the bridge’s structural behaviour during its operation. A new remote monitoring system could achieve this objective, but doesn’t yet exist in the marketplace. ISIS Canada was able to provide the valuable link between the emerging new technology in structural remote monitoring and the construction industry.

Back

Smartpark Light Standards

The increasing demand for pole-type transmission structures, coupled with a shortage of wooden poles and the ever-increasing cost of steel poles, has prompted hydroelectric utility companies to search for cost-effective alternative materials, such as GFRP, for poles. The research at the University of Manitoba in the development of GFRP poles is the most comprehensive in the world. However, without evidence of satisfactory field performance, utilities will continue to be apprehensive about accepting GFRP as a material of choice for poles.

In cooperation with Manitoba Hydro, a Pole Park has been established to evaluate the field performance of various types of full scale poles, including GFRP, hybrid (wood-GFRP) and wood.   Some wooden poles have been intentionally damaged and repaired on site using the robotic system currently under development at the University of Manitoba.   All poles have been instrumented using ISIS-developed fibre optic technology for remote monitoring of their performance.  This project provides valuable information about the performance of materials and pole components under service conditions.   Researchers are able to evaluate various types of foundations, and hydro utility crews learn how to handle, erect and climb GFRP poles.  It also provides a unique setting for the actual repair of poles using new techniques and innovative robotic systems.

Back

Taylor Bridge

A significant international research breakthrough was achieved October 8, 1998 when Manitoba’s Department of Highways and Trans-portation opened the Taylor Bridge in Headingley. The two-lane, 165.1-metre-long structure has four out of 40 precast girders reinforced with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) stirrups. These girders are prestressed with carbon FRP cables and bars. Glass FRP reinforces portions of the barrier walls.

As a demonstration project, it is vital the new materials be tested under the same conditions as conventional steel reinforcement – thus only a portion of the bridge is designed using FRP.

Two types of carbon FRP reinforcements were used in the Taylor bridge. Carbon fibre composite cables produced by Tokyo Rope, Japan, were used to pretension two girders while the other two girders were pretensioned using indented leadline bars produced by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Japan.

Two of the four girders were reinforced for shear using carbon FRP stirrups and leadline bars in a rectangular cross section. The other two beams were reinforced for shear, using epoxy coated steel rebars.

The deck slab was reinforced by indented leadline bars similar to the reinforcement used for prestressing. Glass FRP reinforcement produced by Marshall Industries Composites Inc. was used to reinforce a portion of the Jersey-type barrier wall. Double-headed stainless steel tension bars were used for the connection between the barrier wall and the deck slab.

The bridge boasts a complex embedded fibre optic structural sensing system that will allow engineers to compare the long-term behaviour of the two materials. This remote monitoring is the key to acquiring data on FRP that will ultimately help it gain widespread acceptance through national and international codes of practice. Using 64 single fibre optic sensors to monitor the bridge is not alone a new procedure. What is new and significant in the Taylor Bridge is the use of two experimental, multiplexed, fibre optic sensors called Bragg gratings that measure strain, loading and temperature. According to Dr. Rod Tennyson, a director with ISIS Canada at the University of Toronto, the sensors are not only immune to electromagnetic interference, they also have long-term stability in advanced materials. In fact, the sensors are so sophisticated that they can even diagnose the integrity of their own bond to the structure.

Funding for the design and implementation of the new technology used in the Taylor bridge came from Industry, Science and Technology Canada through the Japanese Science and Technology Fund, and from the Industrial Research Assistance Program.

See July 2003 field trial report

Back

Tourond Creek Bridge

The Tourond Creek timber bridge south of Winnipeg on Highway 59 was selected as the first of its kind to undergo an innovative strengthening technique developed by ISIS Canada, whereby glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars are embedded in the stringers and adhered to the wood beams with an epoxy resin.  The structure, which is over 40 years old, is now at least 30 percent stronger and can carry normal traffic loads. Manitoba has 575 timber bridges, all built prior to 1980 and requiring strengthening in order to accommodate the increased traffic load weights permitted by the Transportation Association of Canada.  Manitoba Transportation has estimated that replacing the province’s aging structures would require an investment of approximately $260 million. Using the ISIS technique, bridges like Tourond Creek can achieve the same strength as a new structure for less than 15 percent of the cost estimated to completely replace the bridge.

The benefits of using glass FRP bars are that they do not add significant weight to the structure and do not corrode when exposed to road salt.  FRPs provide a convenient alternative to conventional strengthening techniques. The material is easy to work with, offering many benefits such as being non-corrosive. In addition, no heavy equipment is required to install the FRP reinforcement because it is lightweight. It can be installed with virtually no obstructions, disturbances or inconvenience to the travelling public. ISIS Canada is monitoring the bridge’s behaviour to confirm its research.Twenty-two beams were tested to determine the predictable behaviour of full scale and half scale creosote treated beams strengthened using glass FRPs. In applying the test results to the field application, the three-span, 23.3-m long Tourond Creek bridge is a particularly useful example of how FRPs can be used to strengthen wood bridges. Its design incorporates two standard stringer sizes used in most timber bridges (two 6.4-m approach spans and one 10.06-m centre span). ISIS Canada is monitoring the bridge’s behaviour to confirm its research.

Back

Water Pollution Control Centre

After sixty years, Winnipeg’s North End Water Pollution Control Centre was in need of extensive upgrading. The City of Winnipeg was considering replacing the entire roof but was able to curb expenses by simply revitalizing the roof panels with carbon fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips. The use of epoxy-bonded carbon FRP strips was an attractive alternative because of their high strength, low weight, and easy application. In addition, the rehabilitation project was a much simpler task than replacing the entire roof, resulting in substantial savings.

As part of the research stage of the project, selected panels were removed from the roof for testing at the University of Manitoba. It was important to use these panels as control specimens. One was tested to failure before applying carbon FRP laminates and two others were tested to failure after applying the laminates. With confidence in the test results and with substantial savings, engineers proceeded in placing heavy new equipment on the strengthened roof.

Back