Design and evaluation of an integrated FRP composite wicket gate

Hydraulic gates need to be light-weight, corrosion-resistant, maintenance-free, and durable with high endurance under fatigue loads. All of these requirements could be challenges to be met using conventional materials like steel and concrete. However, with the emergence of advanced Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites for waterway structures, it has now been possible to achieve all of these physical and performance requirements in a cost-effective manner. Due to their lightness, excellent corrosion and wear resistance along with superior thermo-mechanical properties, FRPs have emerged as one of the best alternatives in the field of civil infrastructure. This paper covers several aspects of the design, manufacturing, testing, analysis, and field implementation of a novel integrated FRP wicket gate in Mississippi River lock and dam. The cellular FRP panel with foam core and integrated stiffening and fastening components has been analyzed to compute the bending stiffness both theoretically and experimentally and a good correlation has been obtained.