Construction and Specifications

Project Objectives

1. Design and fabricate a standard FRP drain that can be produced economically for use throughout New England bridges; and
2. Install the fabricated drain system in two to three representative bridge applications in New England to provide information on its performance, ease of construction, and cost.

Progress/Accomplishments Through March 31, 2015

• Draft specifications were submitted to committee – Final versions ready for submittal
• Reports for task 1, 2 and 3 were drafted and submitted
• Potential demonstration projects were identified.
• Vendor witness plates received for ACO and Kenway. Vendors were screened and selected for participation.
• Drain designs from participating DOTs were collected for review and comparison.
• Material properties were reviewed and evaluated for inclusion to the specifications
• Specifications were re-written to comply to the FHWA specification format.
• Questionnaire drafted and circulated to DOTs regarding problem areas and best practices as viewed by design and field maintenance departments.
• Demonstration projects in Bangor, ME and Richmond, ME were visited and installations of FRP bridge drains were documented. One project in Westbrook, ME has the specification from this project available for bid and closed on December 10, 2014. This bridge uses 8 FRP bridge drains with specifications from this project with and average line item price of all 5 contractors bidding of $2,900 each (range of $2,000 to $3,500 ea).
• Materials testing for baseline strength and durability specimens of ACO and Kenway specimens were completed. FRP Bridge Drain Pipe/Grace composites have baseline control values completed. Durability testing is on going.
• An additional supplier of FRP bridge drains was identified who provide the drains for the Richmond-Dresden bridge project in Maine. This company is United Fiberglass of America in Springfield, OH.
• Task 4 – Product validation: baseline mechanical properties and durability
  • The laboratory tests to assess environmental durability and generate mechanical properties for the three vendors (Kenway, ACO, and Grace Composites – FRP Bridge Drain Pipe) were completed. Draft reports summarizing baseline mechanical properties and durability performance based on coupon tests for three vendors were submitted to the Technical Committee.
• Tasks 5 and 6 – Document installation of FRP drains in bridges
  • Contacted Maine DOT to coordinate the monitoring of the Westbrook Bridge FRP drains installation, which is scheduled for construction in the fall.

Technical Committee Members

• Dale Peabody (Chairperson), Maine Department of Transportation
• Kevin Daigle, New Hampshire Department of Transportation
• Ali Jamalipour, Connecticut Department of Transportation
• Christopher Mooney, Vermont Agency of Transportation