The Advanced Structures and Composites Center has worked extensively over a period of years developing models and design specifications for FRP-glulam bridges; evaluating the durability of FRP-glulam bridges through material level and full scale testing; and constructing, evaluating and monitoring FRP-glulam bridges. The results of this work have led to the development and approval of ASTM D7199-07 Standard Practice for Establishing Characteristic Values for Reinforced Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) Beams Using Mechanics-Based Models as well as additions to the 2010 AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.  Recent research has focused on the development of novel methods for fabricating glulam beams with prestressed FRP reinforcing.

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center has designed and monitored over 25 demonstration bridges and piers; three of which have won national awards for their innovative features. See Bridge Demonstrations for more information about these bridges.

 Publications 

• Silva-Henriquez, R., Gray, H., Dagher, H.J. Davids, W.G. and Nader, J. (2010). "Strength Performance of Prestressed GFRP-Glulam Beams." Forest Products Journal, 60(1): 33-39
• Davids, W.G., Nagy, E. and Richie, M.C. (2008). "Fatigue Behavior of Composite-Reinforced Glulam Bridge Girders." Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE 13(2): 183-191
• Davids, W.G., Botting, J.K., Peterson, M. (2006). "Development and Structural Testing of a Composite-Reinforced Timber Highway Guardrail." Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier, 20(9): 733-743
• Davids, W.G., Dagher, H.J, Sanchez, O. and Weaver, C.W. (2005). "Design, Construction and Load Testing of a Composite FRP-Glulam-Concrete Girder Bridge."Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, CD 11-S, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., pp. 409-417
• Davids, W.G., Richie, M. and Gamache, C. (2005). "Fatigue of Glulam Beams with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Tension Reinforcing." Forest Products Journal, Forest Products Society, 55(1): 93-101
• Weaver, C., Davids, W.G. and Dagher, H.J. (2004). "Testing and Analysis of Partially Composite FRP-Glulam-Concrete Bridge Girders." Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE, 9(4): 316-325
• Dagher, H.J., and R. Lindyberg. (2003). "Development of AASHTO Specifications for FRP Reinforced Glulam Beams." Proceeding of the Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board Compendium of Papers CD-ROM, Transportation Research Board: Washington, DC
• Bragdon M. Behavior and Design of FRP-Reinforced Longitudianl Glulam Deck Bridge. Masters Thesis. University of Maine. 2002.
• Cassidy E, Davids W, Dagher H, Gardner D. Performance of wood shear walls sheathed with FRP-reinforced OSB Panels. Journal of Structural Engineering. 2006.
• Collins W, Fischetti D, Dagher H, Sanchez O, DiCarlantonio D. Tohickon aqueduct: demonstrating fiber-reinforced polymers in a state park heritage timber structure. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Advanced Engineered Wood Composites. Bethel, ME, Aug 2001.
• Dagher H, Lindyberg R. Development of AASHTO specifications for FRP-reinforced glulam beams. Transportation Research Board, 2003.
• Davids W., Dagher H., Sanchez O., Weaver C. 2005. "Design, construction and load testing of a composite FRP-glulam-concrete girder bridge", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, CD 11-S, TRB: 409-417, National Research Council.

Center Contact

• William Davids, P.E., John C Bridge Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

  William.davids@umit.maine.edu

   

  207-581-2116

Research Partners

• Federal Highway Administration , Maine Department of Transportation  

Graduate Students

• Chris Gamache, Matthew Richie and Shane Bourgault