Completed Research 1995 to 2006

Theme 6 Projects (1999-2002):
Design Aids and Initiatives for Future Projects

THEME 6 OVERVIEW

(All project descriptions are provided as proposed in 1998 as part of the NCE mid-term review)

User Manual for Optic Fibre Sensor Technology (T6.1)
Project Leader: Dr. Roderick Tennyson, University of Toronto Institute of Aerospace Studies

Theme 2 organized a "Fibre Optic Sensing Workshop: Hands on Structural Monitoring Technology" at UTIAS in June 1997. A second workshop was held January 12 and 13, 1998. It is intended that such workshops be made available twice a year for ISIS researchers and industrial partners. Solicitation of other interested industries and government agencies who are not formal partners or associates of ISIS Canada will also be made. The purpose of these workshops is to make fibre optic technology user friendly and provide hands on experience to the participants in the installation, measurement and interpretation of FOSs. Two types of sensors are currently being promoted, the Fabry Perot and Bragg grating gauges.

An additional objective of the workshop is to demonstrate the benefits of this new technology and encourage the civil engineering and construction industries to implement these sensors for monitoring the applied loads and long term integrity of their structures. Attendees also have the opportunity to meet and talk with the ISIS researchers involved in developing this technology and discuss the practical issues associated with the implementation of these sensor systems.

As a consequence of these workshops, the first manual of ISIS technology on the "Installation, Use and Repair of Fibre Optic Sensors" has been compiled. Although it is incomplete at this present time, it is expected to be finished in a form suitable for publication in the next fiscal year of ISIS Canada as part of Theme 6.

The contents of this manual are:

1. Review of Fibre Optic Sensor (FOS) Technology
2. Installation Concepts and Techniques
3. Fibre Optic Bragg Grating Measuring Systems
4. Fabry Perot Measuring Systems
5. Interfacing with Data Acquisition Systems
6. FOS Trouble Shooting
7. References

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In the past it has been possible to mount conventional sensors on structures and transmit the signals from these sensors over telephone lines to distant places. This existing technology cannot be applied directly to the fibre optic sensing system and evaluate the health of the structure. ISIS Canada's Theme 3 team is developing systems that will use versatile fibre optic sensors, smart reinforcements and portable data acquisition systems. As these technologies are field assessed, they will be implemented in the field routinely to remotely monitor the structure, evaluate the captured data, analyze it using expert systems and take corrective actions.

Several of these technologies such as fibre optic sensors, data acquisition systems and expert software systems developed in the ISIS Theme 3 will be transferred to engineering communities in the near future. The first workshop will be organized in Halifax, Nova Scotia to address the issues of sensors, intelligent processors, field assessment and evaluation of bridges. Based on this workshop, handbooks will be developed to explain the use of fibre optic sensors, the ESPAN system software and the methodology to field assess the bridges. The forthcoming Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code will include sections on the use of FRPs and the evaluation of bridge structures. Where appropriate, clauses from this code will be incorporated into the prescribed techniques for interpretation of data and the corresponding evaluation of the bridge performance to ensure that the ISIS manuals are state of the art both in technology and code usage. The guidelines will be supplemented by case studies of bridge evaluations from the various Theme 3 field assessment projects. A yearly workshop will be conducted in alternating regions of Canada to facilitate the dissemination of this technology. Development and upgrading of the following handbooks and user manuals will be the responsibility of Project T6.2:

1. instrumentation and remote monitoring of structures
2. intelligent processing with expert systems
3. field assessment and calibration
4. smart reinforcements and connectors
5. case studies of field demonstrations

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Design Aids and Manuals for the Use of FRPs for Structures (T6.3)
Project Leader: Dr. Sami Rizkalla, University of Manitoba

Theme 4 focuses on the use of FRPs as a reinforcement and/or prestressing of concrete, wood and masonry structures. The Theme extended the use of FRPs for a new innovative system using integrated optical sensing to produce smart ground anchorage for concrete dams and for slope stability of earth fills. The development of the patented anchorage system by ISIS Canada made it possible to extend this technology to post tension masonry structures which provided the masonry industry with a new method to compete with other building forms.

The innovation of this Theme is not limited to the use of FRPs, but includes new concepts and new products such as the development of the steel free bridge deck technology. During the next three years of this project, some of the following user manuals will be completed and revised as the research progresses.

1. Design Guidelines of Concrete Structures Reinforced by FRPs
2. Design Guidelines of Concrete Structures Post tensioned by FRPs
3. User Manual for FRP Ground Anchors
4. Design Guidelines of the Innovative Deck Slab System
5. Durability of FRPs
6. Durability of FRPs in Concrete Structures
7. Fabrication and Basic Characteristics of FRP Hydro Poles

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Design Aids and Manuals for Smart FRP Rehabilitation (T6.4)
Project Leader: Dr. Kenneth Neale, Université de Sherbrooke

Within Theme 5 of ISIS, research is being conducted to develop unique advanced technologies for the rehabilitation, strengthening and field monitoring of existing civil engineering structures. The objective of this project is to develop design aids and prepare manuals for the various applications of the smart FRP rehabilitation technologies being developed within Theme 5. Despite their obvious advantages, rehabilitation techniques using FRPs have had rather limited applications in Canada. Certain reservations exist because of concerns regarding the performance and durability of FRP retrofit techniques in harsh Canadian environments, technical issues which are being addressed through the research program of Theme 5. However, once all of these concerns have been properly resolved, practicing engineers will no doubt continue to be reluctant to apply the new FRP rehabilitation technologies unless adequate design aids and manuals are made available to them. Thus, by developing appropriate design aids and preparing suitable manuals a major impediment to the practical implementation of FRP rehabilitation techniques will be removed.

As part of this project, manuals will be prepared concerning the three key aspects related to a smart FRP rehabilitation: (i) the design of the FRP rehabilitation or strengthening scheme; (ii) the installation procedures for FRP field retrofits, including surface preparation, etc.; and (iii) the procedures and protocols for FOS installation and monitoring. The FOS related manuals will be prepared in collaboration with Project T6.1 (Tennyson). Within Project T6.4 manuals will be prepared for the following applications:

(i)  Rehabilitation and Strengthening of Concrete Structures Using FRP Wraps: This will include design methods to determine FRP wrap configurations for columns subjected to axial and lateral loads, for beams and girders requiring increases in their flexural and shear capacities, and for slabs deficient in flexure. Seismic upgrading will also be included. In addition, questions of durability and cold regions applications will be addressed. Corresponding manuals for applying the FRP wraps in the field, including surface and material preparation, will also be prepared.

(ii)  Repair of Concrete Structures Using High Performance Sprayed FRPs: This will include design methods to determine fibre volumes as well as instructions for field applications to columns and beams.

(iii)  Use of FRPs in Timber Structures: This will include design methods for the FRP strengthening of sawn lumber and glue laminated timber structural elements, including bonded joints. Effects of moisture, both of degree and cyclic history, will be addressed. A manual for field installations will also be prepared.

(iv)  Use of Smart FRP Wraps for Corrosion Repair and Monitoring of Concrete Structures: This manual will give procedures for the field repair and subsequent monitoring of corroded and contaminated reinforced concrete columns and beams.

(v)  In addition, appropriate design aids and installation manuals will be prepared for the FRP strengthening and rehabilitation of both steel and masonry structures.

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Field Implementation and New Initiatives for Future Projects (T6.5)
Project Leader: Dr. Sami Rizkalla, University of Manitoba

The mandate of ISIS Canada is to advance civil engineering in Canada to a world leadership position through the development and application of fibre reinforced polymers and integrated intelligent fibre optic sensing technologies, for the benefit of all Canadians through smart structures and economical infrastructure. This is a major, long term undertaking which is being carried out within the dynamics of rapidly changing technology and emerging applications of research results.

For this reason, ISIS Canada must be in a position to accommodate new ideas, new materials, and new initiatives. Experience thus far has demonstrated that one of the current constraints is not having a source of funds to facilitate the initiation of new and innovative projects and field demonstrations of ISIS technology. If a source of funds is available, it can often be leveraged to secure additional financial support from other collaborators. With such funds in the budget, there is also a greater opportunity for ISIS Canada to fulfill the much broader implications of its overall mandate.

Advancing civil engineering in Canada to a world leadership position, and in the process revolutionizing the design and construction of infrastructure, is not a short term endeavor. It cannot be achieved in four years or seven, and may take longer than fourteen. In any case, if the original vision of the ISIS Canada Network is to be fulfilled, a long term approach must be adopted. Just as the first stage of the ISIS program envisaged the current extension under consideration, the next four years should establish the basis for a future seven year program. Otherwise, a huge opportunity would be lost. Allocating funds to Project T6.5, is part of the long term strategy for the ISIS Canada Network.

The opportunities to apply ISIS technology are enormous. A seemingly endless number of new applications are emerging. To meet this need, the research program has already been expanded to incorporate the use of FRPs in masonry and timber structures. Furthermore, considerations are underway to use FRPs and remote monitoring on pipelines, dams, nuclear plants and seismic endangered facilities. Addressing the seismic concerns is a global issue which is of particular interest to those in British Columbia. In the longer term, it may even be appropriate to pursue such esoteric possibilities as reducing infrastructure costs through structural response design concepts. There is also a need to fully explore the optimization of meshing old and new materials (steel and carbon fibre) in design configurations in order to maximize the benefits at a cost that can be afforded by the public, particularly for new structures. An in depth analysis of the resulting economic costs and benefits is also needed to expedite the adoption of the new technology by the decision makers.

It is impossible to achieve meaningful results in these new areas of consideration within the time frame of a three year extension. The practical approach proposed is to use the current mandate extension within the limited funds allocated to Project T6.5 to conduct preliminary investigations into the current needs and available technology applicable for the various opportunities, which are emerging, with the view to establishing a program base and project priorities for the next phase of the NCE program from the year 2002 to 2009. By successful completion of these plans, ISIS Canada will have truly advanced civil engineering in Canada and throughout the globe, and the original mandate will have been largely fulfilled.

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Completed Research 1995 to 2006