Title

Characterization of a Low-Profile Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Deck System for Moveable Bridges

Authors

Authors

J. S. Vyas; L. Zhao; M. H. Ansley;J. Xia

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abstract

Moveable bridges in Florida typically use open steel grid decks due to weight limitations. However, these decks present rideability, environmental, and maintenance problems, as they are typically less skid resistant than a solid riding surface, create loud noises, and allow debris to fall through the grids. Replacing open steel grid decks with a lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) deck can improve rideability and reduce maintenance costs, simultaneously satisfying the strict weight requirement for such bridges. In this investigation, a new low-profile, pultruded FRP deck system successfully passed the preliminary strength and fatigue tests per AASHTO requirements. Two two-span deck specimens were tested, one with the strong direction of the deck placed perpendicular to the supporting girders, whereas the other had a deck placed with 30 degrees skew. This paper also describes a simplified finite-element approach that simulates the load-deformation behavior of the deck system. The results from the finite-element model showed a good correlation with the deflection and strain values measured from the tests.

Journal Title

Journal of Bridge Engineering

Volume

14

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Document Type

Article

First Page

55

Last Page

65

WOS Identifier

WOS:000265138200008

ISSN

1084-0702

Share

COinS