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

    Authors

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

    Comments

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    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

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