"Innovator" Newsletter
June 1999
CONTENTS
Feature Stories
Calgary at Forefront of
Innovative Rehabilitation
Annual
Conference Looks to the Future
Focus On Research - New Projects
Hart
Bridge Field Assessment
Intelligent Processing
of Data Obtained from Instrumented Bridges
Brillouin Scattering
Sensing System
Seismic Rehabilitation
of Structures
Seismic Rehabilitation
of Joints
Containment
Structure Surveyed
Demonstration Projects and Innovative Products
Hydro-Québec
Upgrades Chambers
Patents
Filed for Intelligent Sensing Systems
Longer Life
for Waste Storage Facilities
Schools Repaired
After Ice Storm
Taking Composite
Piles to New Dimensions
Awards and Special Recognition
Calgary at Forefront of Innovative Rehabilitation
When Calgary constructed its Beddington Bridge in 1993 using materials and methods previously untried in North America, a significant change occurred. The City's Structures and Facilities Division recognized that fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) and structurally integrated fibre optic sensors would be the way of the future. Under the direction of Chris Wade, the Division is responsible for bridge design standards as well as maintaining and rehabilitating an inventory valued in excess of $1 billion. It has continuously challenged the boundaries of civil engineering design and construction with innovative rehabilitation methods that take advantage of FRPs and remote monitoring.
"There is no question about the benefits of using fibre reinforced polymers. They are much stronger than steel and, most importantly, are non-corrosive. The remote monitoring systems will provide data to evaluate the material's superior and long-term performance, but without the added expense of site visits", says Division Manager Chris Wade.
Beddington Bridge
This project was significant because it confirmed the need for an organization that could
spearhead transferring the new technology to industry. Subsequently, ISIS Canada was
established under the federal government's Networks of Centres of Excellence program.
Crowchild Trail Bridge
Drawing on the expertise of ISIS Canada's Technical Applications Consultant, Dr. Gamil
Tadros, and under the direction of Peter Wilson, Chief Structures Engineer, Calgary built
Canada's first steel-free bridge deck in a continuous span with extensive use of glass FRP
reinforcing. The New Jersey sections of the Crowchild Trail Bridge were reinforced using
glass FRP reinforcements.
"If we can extend the life of our structures by even ten years by either removing reinforcing steel, as we did in the steel-free deck slab, or by replacing it with non-corrosive materials, the savings could be significant ," says Wilson.
Centre Street Bridge
The next restoration project, slated for early August 1999, is Centre Street Bridge built
in 1916 to cross the Bow River. Repairs completed in 1974 included a new precast concrete
deck system placed above the original deck. However, harsh environmental conditions,
including salt-laden moisture, have caused progressive deterioration of the bridge deck
and other structural elements, which now require attention to ensure the bridge remains
serviceable.
Under the direction of Calgary's Senior Design Engineer, Jadwiga Kroman, the lower bridge deck will be totally replaced and a portion of the deck slab reinforced with FRPs.
"We project that as a result of this work, the bridge life will be extended by 40 years," says Kroman, whose particular interests include advancement of methods for concrete structural upgrading and restoration.
Country Hills Bridge
The same team — Kroman, Wilson and Tadros — also strengthened the Country Hills
Boulevard bridge deck by applying carbon FRP strips to its surface and applying a high
performance concrete overlay.
These prototype projects serve to gain the confidence of the design and construction industry, and prove the technology's long-term performance. ISIS Canada's mandate is to transfer this technology to industry. As such, its success is currently measured by the rate at which decision-makers adopt the materials and methods as conventional practice. Field data collected since 1993 on ten bridges documents this material's superior performance.
Beddington Bridge Partners: External Affairs and International Trade Canada, National Research Council of Canada (Industrial Research Assistance Program), Graham Construction Ltd., Con-Force Structures Ltd., E-Tek ElectroPhotonics Solutions Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical America, Tokyo Rope, City of Calgary
Crowchild Trail Bridge Partners: PCL Contractors, Marshall Industries Ltd., Autocon Composites Inc., Stantec Consulting Ltd., CAN/ACM Consultants Ltd.
Country Hills Boulevard Bridge Partners: Walter Construction, Sika Canada Inc., CH2M Gore and Storrie Ltd.
Centre Street Bridge Partners: Walter Construction, Autocon Composites Inc., Reid Crowther, SPECO Engineering Ltd. (FRP consultant)
Annual Conference
4th
Annual Conference Looks to the Future
In a network with over 75 industrial partners and 200 researchers located in 12 universities, continuous communication and self analysis is the key to competing internationally. The 4th Annual ISIS Canada Conference provided a rich opportunity to review strides taken in the last year in applying fibre reinforced polymers and remote sensing systems across the Country. The conference attracted many new business owners, managers, consultants and public servants who had read or heard of award winning structures that are quickly becoming the norm in Canadian infrastructure design. The conference was officially opened by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Don Whitmore, President of Vector Construction Group. The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Director André Isabelle spoke at the Public Forum where attendees expressed particular interest in the successes Canada has had with its NCE programs - success to the point where it is now a permanent program in the federal budget. ISIS stands as a strong example of how combining public and private resources can drive Canadian efforts to the forefront of the international research community.
The Awards Luncheon guest speaker was Professor Farhad Ansari of the Smart Sensors and NDT Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Ansari spoke highly of ISIS Canada's technology and contributions to improving infrastructure, not just for Canadians but for everyone.
Planning for the Future: During the Annual General Meeting, Dr. Sami Rizkalla, ISIS Canada Program Leader, described how in the past year, several new Project Leaders have joined the network and research activities have ventured into new areas. Most of these initiatives resulted from an extensive tour of research sites conducted by the Network executive, November 1989 - February 1999. New activities include seismic rehabilitation, fire resistance testing, and the use of fibre optics to measure temperatures and stress over long distances without the need for sensors.
"Touring the laboratories and talking to the researchers about the direction of our research was an extremely valuable exercise. We must continue to evaluate the program to ensure ISIS Canada remains commercially relevant," he said.
Project Leaders' Dialogue Dinner: In keeping with the true spirit of a network, this informal meeting is held as an opportunity for Project Leaders to discuss collective concerns. Topics this year included working toward ensuring Canadian infrastructure owners and builders perceive that the technology is readily accessible in all parts of the Country and for new and rehabilitation projects of all sizes.
Women in Engineering Excellence Scholarships: This year's $5,000 scholarship recipients are Natalie Rizkalla of Queen's University (Dr. Ivan Campbell, thesis advisor) and Christine Lacasse of the Université de Sherbrooke (Dr. Ken Neale, thesis advisor).
Student Presentations: The student competition was a conference highlight including cash prizes. It is also just one way in which ISIS Canada fulfills its commitment to training highly qualified personnel. For each one of the six students, an invitation to present was a notable honour in itself.
Focus on Research - New Projects
John Hart Bridge Field
Assessment
The John Hart Bridge in Prince George, British Columbia is being upgraded in order
to support increased traffic loads. Carbon FRP sheets will be used to increase the shear
capacity of 42 girders by 15 to 20 percent. An assessment, involving continuous
monitoring, periodic site visits, and visual inspection will be completed in order to
better understand the performance of the CFRP sheets for shear strengthening. As a smart
structure, the newly rehabilitated bridge will provide the Ministry of Transportation and
Highways of British Columbia with the confidence to proceed with other bridge
rehabilitation projects which have already been identified.
Intelligent
Processing of Data Obtained from Instrumented Bridges
This feasibility study will identify the steps necessary to finalize a software
program being developed for storing and archiving data collected from structures via
remote monitoring systems.
Brillouin
Scattering Sensing System
Brillouin scattering-based, distributed sensors can measure both strain and
temperature at many locations. They offer greater flexibility in that the number of points
measured, their locations, and their gauge length can be selected even after the sensors
have been installed. Relatively long lengths of fibre (up to tens of kilometres) can be
used, allowing easy instrumentation of large civil structures in a much more complete
manner than is possible using other sensor technologies. The intent of this research is to
develop the technology to a point where it is commercially viable for structural
monitoring applications.
Seismic
Rehabilitation of Structures
The main objective of this research project is to evaluate the short and long-term
behaviour of FRP-reinforced structures, focussing primarily on columns and slabs. This
includes steel-reinforced concrete structures retrofitted with FRP, and new FRP-reinforced
concrete structures. In addition, new innovative techniques to enhance structural
properties of concrete elements will be developed and tested. Large-scale components will
be tested for structural characteristics and small-scale specimens for durability.
Developing conceptual models for predicting the behaviour of FRP- reinforced structures is
an integral part of this study. Experimental data will be used to calibrate the analytical
models for circular columns and slabs, and durability tests on FRP concrete bonds.
Seismic
Rehabilitation of Joints
In the aftermath of major earthquakes, it has become apparent that reinforced
concrete structures built according to early codes, or even prior to seismic design
requirements, are inadequate. As a result, steel jackets have been applied to beam-column
joint regions to upgrade shear resistance. This research will provide data to support
using FRP reinforcements instead of steel jackets. In addition to overall superior
performance, FRPs will potentially eliminate the brittle shear failure in beam-column
joints.
Containment
Structure Surveyed
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and ISIS are investigating the long-term
strength and durability aspects of a decommissioned nuclear power plant in Québec. The
objective is to efficiently extend the maintenance period from 40 to 100 years. ISIS
Canada is working with AECL on using FRP wraps to meet long-term requirements.
Demonstration Projects and Innovative Products
Hydro-Québec
Upgrades Chambers - Québec
Underground, steel-reinforced concrete chambers are used widely in construction and
civil engineering. In Québec, more than 50,000 chambers with the same dimensions have
been installed by Hydro-Québec over the last 30 years to house special devices used for
electrical transmission lines. Unfortunately, like other steel-reinforced concrete
structures, corrosion sets in, usually because of moisture, and as the steel deteriorates
the concrete spalds, cracks and becomes a major problem. On an annual basis, 2 percent
(approximately 1,000) of Hydro-Québec's underground concrete chambers reinforced with
steel are so corroded they must be replaced.
FRP reinforcements offer advantages over steel in that they are non-corrosive, lightweight and electrically non-conductive. Last year, two chambers were constructed at the Université de Sherbrooke as a preliminary feasibility study for FRP reinforcements. They were installed at Longeuil and Valleyfield in Québec. From this study, data was gained on fabricating FRP reinforcement cages, installation and casting. This information will be used to produce ten more underground chambers. Two will be tested to failure using the newly built reaction wall at the Université de Sherbrooke. The remainder will be located throughout Québec taking into account terrain and environmental conditions. All ten underground chambers will be reinforced using new FRP IsorodP rebars and outfitted with sensors for monitoring.
Two
Patents Filed for Intelligent Sensing Systems - Nova Scotia
A more efficient technique has been developed for recovering the fibre optic,
electrical, or other transmitting fibres, cables or wires of sensors or devices embedded
in continuously pultruded composite parts. The technique ensures that the automated
manufacturing process is not disturbed and that it is accomplished easily and
inexpensively. Examples of composite parts benefiting from this patent include composite
rebar, reinforcing tendons, antennas, rock bolts, marine rigging and stays, beams,
girders, and poles. A second patent has been filed for a technology allowing fibre optic
gauges to be encapsulated in composite materials. This produces a rod-like carrier with an
embedded gauge suitable for application to, or embedding within, structures made of metal,
concrete, and larger composite parts. Both technologies were developed as a result of ISIS
Canada research projects that were based at the Smart Materials Centre, Department of
Mechanical Engineering, Dalhousie University.
Longer
Life for Waste Storage Facilities - Manitoba
Structures containing hog waste deteriorate at an alarming rate. As levels of
production increase, conditions become more severe. The concrete structures are reinforced
with steel which corrodes and leads to swift, overall deterioration. FRP reinforcing can
eliminate problems related to corrosion, enabling these structures to withstand such harsh
service conditions. This is especially good news as environmental concerns relating to
ground seepage require structures to be more impervious to the elements. In cooperation
with Aquarian Industries, ISIS Canada is investigating hog waste storage tank designs
using FRPs. In addition to hog waste, this concept could be applicable to other animal
waste markets as reinforcement for slats, floors, and waste handling systems. This
research is sponsored by the Manitoba Agri-Food Research & Development Initiative and
the Manitoba Triple S Hog Manure Management Initiative.
Schools
Repaired After Ice Storm - Québec
Glass FRP sheets were used to strengthen 1,800 beams in two similar schools
in Chateauguay, Québec that were damaged as a result of the 1998 ice storm. Following the
storm, previously existing shear cracks in the roof beams widened and, in a few cases,
partial failure occurred. The consultant, Soprin ADS, chose to reinforce the webs of the
prestressed prefabricated roof panels with glass FRP sheets supplied by Composite Retrofit
International Inc. and applied by the firm, Construction Interlag.
Québec's Commission looking into lessons of the 1998 ice storm has recently published a report on its findings and recommendations. The three-volume report includes a section on structural issues examined by the Groupe Structures, chaired by ISIS Canada's Project Leader, Dr. Kenneth Johns, Université de Sherbrooke. The section was reviewed by Dr. Leslie Jaeger, who was one of the key personnel instrumental in establishing ISIS Canada. The first volume ( $39.95 ISBN 2-551-18088-0), "Pour Affronter L'imprévisible", contains a summary and all the recommendations, including the structural findings. The third volume ($49.95 ISBN 2-551-18092-9), "Les conditions climatiques et l'approvisionnement en Énergie", contains the findings of the specialty groups.
Reports can be ordered from:
Les Publications du Québec, Box 1005, Québec, QC, G1K
7B5
Call 1-800-463-2100
Website: http://www.doc.gouv.qc.ca
Taking
Composite Piles to New Dimensions - USA
Lancaster composite, located in Pennsylvania, USA, is collaborating with ISIS
Canada on investigating and improving the performance of FRP concrete-filled piles. For
almost a decade, Lancaster Composite has manufactured Composite Piles-40TM for use in piers, docks, wharfs, and more.
Lancaster's President Bob Green has noted an increasing demand for piles that are stronger
and more durable. By examining the behaviour of piles under different load states at the
University of Manitoba's McQuade Laboratory, ISIS Canada will obtain results that can be
used to design superior FRP piles with a concrete core. End users have already accepted
that this general design is especially desirable in marine applications because it is
impervious to rot, rust, corrosion, and ship worm damage. Other potential applications for
the concrete-filled FRP tubes include posts and overhead sign structures. This project is
sponsored by Manitoba Highways and Transportation.
Awards and Special Recognition
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, A.B. Sanderson
Award
Gamil Tadros, Ph.D., P.Eng., SPECO
Engineering Ltd.
National Transportation Award of Achievement
Sami Rizkalla, Ph.D., P.Eng., University of Manitoba, ISIS Canada, President
Manitoba Round Table on Sustainability Award of
Excellence for Research and Development
Sami Rizkalla, Ph.D., P.Eng.,
University of Manitoba, ISIS Canada, President
Canadian Foundation for Innovation Institutional
Innovation Fund
Award to construct a state-of-the-art Outdoor/Atmospheric Test
Facility
Nemkumar Banthia, Ph.D., P.Eng., University of
British Columbia
Japan Science & Technology Visiting Scientist
Award
Nemkumar Banthia, Ph.D., P.Eng., University of British Columbia
Killam Memorial Research Chair
Nigel
Shrive, D.Phil., P.Eng., C.Eng., University of Calgary
ACI Structural Research Award
Shamim
Sheikh, Ph.D., P.Eng., University of Toronto
ACI Fellow
John Bonacci, Ph.D., P.Eng.,
University of Toronto
Department Head, Civil Engineering
Kenneth Johns, Ph.D., Eng., Université de Sherbrooke
Associate Department Head, Civil Engineering
Mark Green, Ph.D., P.Eng., Queen's University
Society for Technical Communication
Manitoba/Alberta Chapter, Distinguished Technical Communicator - ISIS Canada
1997/98 Annual Report
In the News
Sustainable
Development Award Recognizes Benefits of Research
Dr. Sami Rizkalla was acknowledged by the Manitoba Round Table on Sustainable
Development with an Award of Excellence for research that will improve the performance and
life span of infrastructure. The award was specifically for the ground-breaking use of
fibre-reinforced polymers and remote sensing technologies in the Taylor Bridge. Sami
Rizkalla, ISIS Canada President and professor of civil engineering at the University of
Manitoba, accepted the award April 14 at the seventh annual awards dinner hosted by the
Premier of Manitoba, Gary Filmon. Dr. Rizkalla noted, "Being nominated for this
competition is an honour in itself, given the expert level of research and development
being conducted in sustainable development issues."
Canadian Codes Forge Ahead
Engineers are generally sensitive to using FRP reinforcements without design codes.
Consequently, ISIS personnel are working hard on the appropriate committees to accelerate
the approval process. Dr. Rizkalla is Chair of the American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Committee 440, Fiber Reinforced Plastic Reinforcement, which has approved two codes on
design and rehabilitation that are currently under review by the ACI Technical Committee
this summer. The ACI refers to ISIS Canada research documents as the only source for
detailed testing procedures of FRP bars and sheets. Canada's Highway Bridge Design Code
has been written and will be published later this year. The Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) code on the use of FRP in buildings and structures is also near completion. Members
of both committees are predominately ISIS Canada researchers. In the four years since ISIS
Canada's inception, FRPs have been used in new and innovative applications. Design manuals
based on ISIS Canada's research are in first draft form. When they are published later
this year, they will serve as an important base for Canadian codes.
This unsolicited, glowing report of ISIS Canada forwarded to the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, March 1999, initiated a plan for ISIS Canada to host an American delegation consisting of key players with a vested interest in remote monitoring and FRPs for infrastructure.
"Within a short period of four years, ISIS researchers from all over Canada, had researched, developed, designed, and constructed smart bridges that were under actual service at the time of my visit. I watched these technological advances with envy . . . ", Dr. Farhad Ansari, Professor, Smart Sensors & NDT Laboratory, University of Illinois.