Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) was engaged by Cairns Regional Council to rehabilitate the Baio Bridge on Whyanbeel Road in Whyanbeel, far north Queensland following significant flooding which damaged the existing structure. The new bridge was constructed by rehabilitating the existing timber piles and the replacement of headstocks, corbels, girders and decking to increase its load capacity to T44 vehicle loads, 5kPa pedestrian loading, 400kN braking force and water reaching 1-metre above the deck.
Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) structural profiles replaced all timber elements above the piles using Wagners CFT’s unique concrete hybrid method which features a slim concrete deck on top of Wagners FRP girder and super structure system. The $850K project was funded under the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.
The structural design of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) profiles differs slightly from that of traditional materials, whereby the serviceability criteria generally dominate the design process. Typically, traditional materials are designed for strength and serviceability checks are performed. Due to a comparatively lower modulus of elasticity than that of traditional materials (such as steel), FRP structures are generally designed to meet the stiffness criteria and as a result usually contain large strength reserves.
