Education

Research Description

Dr. Seracino's research interests are broadly categorized as the application of advanced materials and systems to enhance the resilience of critical civil infrastructure. He is interested in the application of advanced fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), particularly in the development of FRP systems for the repair or strengthening of existing concrete infrastructure. His research includes large-scale destructive testing at the Constructed Facilities Laboratory and analytical modeling.

Publications

Behavior of large diameter carbon fiber anchors

Tasdemir, E., Seracino, R., Kowalsky, M. J., & Nau, J. (2023), CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS, 394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132174

Rapid Prestressed Concrete Retrofit with Prestressed Mechanically-Fastened Fiber-Reinforced Polymer: Field Performance and Observation for a Deteriorated Prestressed Concrete Bridge

Lin, S.-H., McCoy, B. C. C., Lucier, G. W. W., Seracino, R., & Pierce, N. A. A. (2023, August 10), TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD, Vol. 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981231186981

Determination of a Large-Diameter Carbon Fiber Anchor Capacity

Al-Doori, A.-H., Rashid, R. S. M., Tasdemir, E., & Seracino, R. (2022), 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FRP COMPOSITES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING (CICE 2020/2021), Vol. 198, pp. 1208–1215. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88166-5_105

Tensile Behavior of Large Diameter Carbon Fiber Anchors

Tasdemir, E., Seracino, R., Kowalsky, M., & Nau, J. (2022), 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FRP COMPOSITES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING (CICE 2020/2021), Vol. 198, pp. 1199–1207. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88166-5_104

Prestressed MF-FRP: Experimental Study of Rapid Retrofit Solution for Deteriorated Prestressed C-Channel Beams

McCoy, B. C., Bourara, Z., Lucier, G. W., Seracino, R., Liu, M., & Lin, S.-H. (2021), JOURNAL OF PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTED FACILITIES, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0001536

Flexural performance of pretensioned ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete beams with CFRP tendons

Sturm, A. B., Visintin, P., Seracino, R., Lucier, G. W., & Oehlers, D. J. (2020), COMPOSITE STRUCTURES, 243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112223

Analytical approach for global load-slip behaviour of FRP plates externally bonded to brittle substrates with anchors

Sturm, A. B., Visintin, P., Vaculik, J., Oehlers, D. J., Seracino, R., & Smith, S. T. (2019), COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING, 160, 177–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.10.024

Anchor Bolt Patterns for Mechanically Fastened FRP Plates

McCoy, B. C., Bourara, Z., Seracino, R., & Lucier, G. W. (2019), JOURNAL OF COMPOSITES FOR CONSTRUCTION, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CC.1943-5614.0000951

Numerical simulation and experimental corroboration of galvanic corrosion of mild steel in synthetic concrete pore solution

Mohammadian, A., Rashetnia, R., Lucier, G., Seracino, R., & Pour-Ghaz, M. (2019), CEMENT & CONCRETE COMPOSITES, 103, 263–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.04.027

CFRP shear strengthening system for steel bridge girders

Kazem, H., Zhang, Y., Rizkalla, S., Seracino, R., & Kobayashi, A. (2018), ENGINEERING STRUCTURES, 175, 415–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.08.038

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Behavior of Repaired Sampson County Bridge Beams After 2 Years in Service

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/23 - 7/31/24)

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Behavior of Repaired Sampson County Bridge Beams After 2 Years in Service

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/23

End Date: 7/31/24

Abstract

Sampson County Bridge No. 810003 is a three-span prestressed channel structure built in 1966 on Service Route No. 1933 across Branch Six Run Creek. Six channel beams (12 stems) were retrofit in November of 2020 using a prestressed mechanically fastened fiber reinforced polymer (MF-FRP) system. The retrofit was designed to restore prestressing forces lost due to corrosion of internal steel strands. The retrofit was intended as a temporary measure to keep the bridge open without lowered load postings while a bridge replacement could be designed, bid, and scheduled. Bridge 810003 is scheduled for demolition and replacement in late 2022 or early 2023. The proposed research aims to salvage the six retrofitted channel beams from Bridge 810003 that have been in-service for more than 21 months. In addition, the work proposes to salvage two additional control beams from the bridge that have not been retrofitted. Beams will be identified prior to bridge demolition, carefully removed from the bridge during demolition with the MF-FRP repair systems intact, trucked to Constructed Facilities Laboratory (CFL) in Raleigh, and tested to failure in the laboratory. Samples of the FRP material will be recovered from the tested beams and for material-scale tension testing. Concrete cores will be taken from the beams to determine the concrete compressive strength. The proposed experiments will capture the full response to failure of the retrofit beams, allowing for comparison to analytical predictions and evaluation of the effectiveness and durability of the retrofit. Predications of beam behavior will use the procedures developed as part of previous research project RP2018-16. As justified by the research results, edits to the existing design methods, installation procedures, inspection procedures, ratings spreadsheet, and standard details and specifications will be developed and proposed. This proposed research project presents a unique opportunity to evaluated the performance of in-service girders that cannot be replicated on new concrete girders.

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Harkers Island Bridge Replacement: Material Characterization and Structural Performance

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/21 - 7/31/24)

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Harkers Island Bridge Replacement: Material Characterization and Structural Performance

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/21

End Date: 7/31/24

Abstract

The NCDOT has previously funded FRP related research projects through NC State University. RP2014-09 consisted of material characterization of Glass FRP reinforcing bars and Carbon FRP prestressing strand (of the same type to be used in the Harkers Island Bridge replacement), and the design, construction and destructive testing of full-scale 45 ft. long hollow core slabs commonly used throughout North Carolina. The design was consistent with the then current ACI440 and AASHTO design guide documents. The test results demonstrated that the flexural and shear performance of the all FRP-reinforced cored slabs was “equivalent” to that of traditional steel-reinforced cored slabs designed to current NCDOT standards. More recently, RP2018-16 developed an innovative rapid repair solution suitable for common prestressed concrete bridge elements, including cored-slabs and C-channel beams. The system is comprised of a prestressed mechanically-fastened FRP plate that restores lost prestress force in deteriorated bridge beams such that inventory and operating load rating restrictions may be removed enabling the bridge to remain in service until replacement is scheduled. In April 2019 this repair system was implemented on Bridge No. 380080 in Franklin County, and a second application was installed on Bridge No. 810003 in Sampson County in November 2020. While there are applications of FRP materials and systems in the repair or strengthening of existing concrete bridges in North Carolina, the Harkers Island Bridge replacement will be the first to fully replace all internal reinforcing and prestressing steel with FRP alternatives in a new construction. The Harkers Island Bridge will be among the largest applications of FRP in a fully FRP-reinforced new concrete bridge in the United States. The experience and long-term performance data collected from this bridge will contribute to the validation and future editions of ASTM standards, material and construction specifications, and design codes including those from AASHTO and ACI. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research project will lead to improved NCDOT design and construction of durable bridge infrastructure resulting in reduced maintenance and repair, longer service life, and cost-savings.

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Evaluation, Design, and Repair of Precast Concrete Dapped End Beams - CICI Core Project

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site(1/01/21 - 12/31/22)

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Evaluation, Design, and Repair of Precast Concrete Dapped End Beams - CICI Core Project

Sponsor: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Start Date: 1/01/21

End Date: 12/31/22

Abstract

Precast double tees with thin stems are a widely used and highly successful floor member in parking structures and other buildings. Frequently, the end supports are dapped such that the bottom of the double tee is level with the bottom of the inverted tee or ledger beam on which it is supported. The dapped connection detail is especially important at crossovers between spans in parking structures because the overall structural depth and floor-to-floor height need not be increased where the double tee is supported by an inverted tee beam. Double tees with dapped ends are typically 24” to 30” deep and often carry parking loads, however, much deeper tees (48”) are becoming more common due to the heavier loads and longer spans needed in data centers and other specialty structures.

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Creep Behavior of CFRP Wythe Connectors - CICI Core Project

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site(1/01/21 - 6/30/21)

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Creep Behavior of CFRP Wythe Connectors - CICI Core Project

Sponsor: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Start Date: 1/01/21

End Date: 6/30/21

Abstract

A precast concrete sandwich panel is typically comprised of a rigid foam core with a layer of concrete on each face. A wythe connector bridges the insulating core and joins the concrete wythes structurally. Traditionally, solid zones of concrete or steel ties have been used as wythe connections, however, these methods are thermally inefficient. The thermal bridging created is significant, and more thermally efficient wythe ties are needed. Enter a wide variety of proprietary FRP wythe connectors on the market. Carbon fiber grid is one option for wythe connection in precast concrete sandwich wall panels that is both thermally and structurally efficient. The system has been tested extensively under static and cyclic loads. It has not been tested as extensively for creep deformation over time. The experimental plan includes loading several small wall panels with full-scale cross-sections for long durations. Standard “push specimens” will be used and will be tested prior to loading (control specimens) and after sustained loading for 1 year. Various levels of sustained loading will be selected at percentages of the ultimate loads sustained by the control samples.

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Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Enhanced Full Membership

AltusGroup, Inc.(7/01/20 - 6/30/22)

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Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Enhanced Full Membership

Sponsor: AltusGroup, Inc.

Start Date: 7/01/20

End Date: 6/30/22

Abstract

Membership in CICI.

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Evaluating Hydraulic Spread Calculations and Closed Drainage System Performance

NC Department of Transportation(1/01/21 - 12/31/23)

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Evaluating Hydraulic Spread Calculations and Closed Drainage System Performance

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 1/01/21

End Date: 12/31/23

Abstract

Hydraulic spread calculations dictate the number and spacing of deck drains and closed drainage system locations. Closed drainage systems require routine maintenance to function properly, but typically maintenance is not performed until the drainage system has failed, and problems become apparent. Current procedures for calculating hydraulic spread results in closely spaced bridge deck drains which present a construction challenge and requires regular maintenance during the life span of the bridge. Current drainage systems adopted by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) routinely fail and are difficult to maintain. The main objective of this research is to update NCDOT’s guidelines for bridge deck drains design and investigate potential alternative drainage systems to be used by NCDOT in future bridge construction projects. Upon the completion of this research project, the research findings will provide NCDOT personnel with improved hydraulic spread calculations to reduce the number of bridge deck drains, which will reduce the initial construction cost, minimize maintenance expenditure, and improve the life cycle cost of the bridge drainage system.

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Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member with Special Service Privileges

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute(7/01/20 - 6/30/22)

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Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member with Special Service Privileges

Sponsor: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

Start Date: 7/01/20

End Date: 6/30/22

Abstract

Full Membership to CICI

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Guidelines to Enhance the Constructability of Diverse, Modern, and Unconventional Intersections and Interchanges (DMUII)

NC Department of Transportation(1/01/21 - 8/14/23)

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Guidelines to Enhance the Constructability of Diverse, Modern, and Unconventional Intersections and Interchanges (DMUII)

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 1/01/21

End Date: 8/14/23

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to assist the NCDOT Traffic Management Unit (TMU) and the Value Management Office (VMO) in assessing issues regarding the construction of Diverse, Modern, and Unconventional Intersections and Interchanges (DMUII). Assessing the constructability of these emerging DMUII is a new area of study that has not yet been previously explored. Therefore, this research will identify factors affecting construction projects prior to construction and develop a schedule and cost payout model (based on prior NCDOT projects) that identifies problems related to expenditure, schedule, and obstruction of traffic during construction.

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Evaluation of the Bonner Bridge Girders: Assessing Residual Capacity, Prestressing Losses and Degradation of the 56 Year Old Members

NC Department of Transportation(1/01/21 - 12/31/23)

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Evaluation of the Bonner Bridge Girders: Assessing Residual Capacity, Prestressing Losses and Degradation of the 56 Year Old Members

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 1/01/21

End Date: 12/31/23

Abstract

The NCDOT is in the process of deconstructing the 56 year old Bonner Bridge. This deconstruction provides an opportunity to evaluate the aged girders of the bridge and to compare their performance to load rating calculations. Such a comparison will provide a better understanding of the accuracy and assumptions associated with prestressing losses and will allow for refinements to the load rating procedures. This project focuses on a complete performance evaluation of the Bonner Bridge girders including full-scale load testing of 9 of the 61 ft. by 45 in. deep AASHTO Type III girders. The load testing will be conducted in the Constructed Facilities Lab (CFL) located at North Carolina State University. The research will provide recommendations for updates to the NCDOT Structures Management’s Manual guidelines. These assessments will also include directly evaluating the current amount of stress (after losses) in the girder prestressing steel; the condition, strength and stiffness of the concrete materials; and the location and extent of damage and repair of the girders.

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GFRP Shells with Transverse CFRP Strips to Retrofit Deteriorated Timber Piles - CICI Core Project

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site(7/01/19 - 6/30/20)

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GFRP Shells with Transverse CFRP Strips to Retrofit Deteriorated Timber Piles - CICI Core Project

Sponsor: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Start Date: 7/01/19

End Date: 6/30/20

Abstract

This project investigates the performance of prefabricated GFRP shells with CFRP strips to restore the lost strength of deteriorated load-bearing timber piles. Specimens of the shell system will be tested in pure hope tension using the environmental chamber to optimize the elements making up the shell. Subsequently, a series of small-scale axial compression tests will be designed and tested applied to short timber piles with representative levels of damage induced. Finally, a series of large-scale flexural tests will be designed and tested applied to long timber piles. The timber elements and the GFRP shell systems will be provided by IAB member Warstone according to the specifications requested. Design recommendations will be provided allowing the GFRP shell system to be applied to deteriorated timber piles efficiently and effectively.

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