Composite Bridge Decking: Phase I Design Report

1. INTRODUCTION

This report summarizes project Phase I (Tasks 2 through 13). The broad objective of Phase I was to identify the most suitable materials, subcomponents, assembly methods, installation details, and wearing surface for the manufacture and deployment of a bridge deck designed to incorporate glass fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials. Tasks 2 through 6 involved preliminary design, and Tasks 7 through 13 involved testing. The preliminary design tasks are documented in a previously published report, FHWA-HIF-12-021.

The primary focus of this project has been on moveable bridges for two reasons: the lightweight nature of the deck and the fact that it provides a solid surface that protects the structure. These are especially beneficial for moveable bridges. However, over the course of the project, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) modified the title of the project to be simply "Composite Bridge Decking," since the deck's advantages are not restricted to use on just one class of bridges. The deck system can be also used on conventional fixed bridges, with similar benefits. Constructability was shown on a 40-foot-long, fixed bridge in Allegany County, NY, as part of a proof-of-concept installation. Deck-work started on August 28, 2012, was completed successfully, and the bridge was opened to traffic on September 27, 2012.