Abstract:
It is not uncommon to observe failures in highway bridges. These failures are attributed to
construction problems like inappropriate backfill compaction, construction joint, poor
material quality, and contraction joint in masonry abutment besides design problems.
Abutment is the main structural component of bridge structure and several types of failure
or cracks occur in this component of bridge. It is important to investigate the main cause of
masonry abutment crack to avoid the consequences, which are damage of bridge and high
maintenance cost. To increase the masonry working life, it is required to repair local
damages with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP). There are limited previous studies that
investigate the main cause of the crack and specify the strengthening method of masonry
abutment. And also, the effective and recent strengthening methods of CFRP with various
fiber orientations, configuration, position, and the number of layers of CFRP composite
materials were not examined for the strengthening of masonry abutment failure. This thesis
work numerically investigates the possible causes of T-girder bridge masonry abutment
failure and proposes the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite for
retrofitting and extending its life span using case study area of woremet T-girder bridge
cracked masonry abutment, which is found 35Km far from Bahir Dar city in southwest
direction. The experimental results reported in the literature are used for validation analysis
to ensure accuracy of developed finite element models and further investigations are
performed on possible causes of failure and method of strengthening with CFRP to upgrade
the woremet T-girder bridge masonry abutment. The analysis result shows that the
differential settlement has considerable effects and reduces the vertical load resistance
capacity of masonry abutment by 13 - 55.12%. The crack is formed by 3L/4 right side of
abutment settlement which is more similar to the woremet T- girder bridge masonry
abutment crack. The abutment strengthened with CFRP of 90 orientation, three number of
layers and 90°,90°& 90° configuration is proposed for simulated crack pattern.
Keywords: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), Masonry Abutment,
Woremet T-Girder Bridge