Placing an FRP bridge in Taijiang national park and in virtual reality

In this paper, the all-FRP composite pedestrian bridge of Taijiang National Park was investigated for its flexural-torsional behaviour under half-surface loading conditions. The bridge, which consists of four GFRP I-girders separated by three GFRP diaphragms, was loaded on half of its longitudinal surface and analysed numerically for its induced shear and flexural deformation. From finite element simulations, the parts of the FRP pedestrian bridge more susceptible to damage due to transverse shear from the torsional load were found to be at the midspan of the exterior girder (bottom flange and web) at the loaded half, the webs of the girders around the roller support, and the web of the diaphragm closer to the roller support. In addition to finite element analysis, a 3D model of the FRP bridge was placed in virtual reality (VR). Using a VR goggle, the virtual FRP bridge can be examined in an immersive virtual environment. The use of VR provides a means to deliver a better service to national park visitors and may act as a catalyst for greater public interest.