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FHWA Home / Highways for LIFE / Technology Partnerships / Bridge Technology / Composite Bridge Decking: Phase I Design Report

Composite Bridge Decking: Phase I Design Report

4. CONCLUSIONS

The testing performed in Phase I helped determine the best selection of material, subcomponents, assembly method, and details. Through these tests, cementitious grout was found to be insufficient because of its low bond strength with the pultruded tube. Epoxy grout is preferred. In some applications, the panel will perform adequately without any grout because of its innate robustness and stiffness.

The bridge railing test demonstrated that the anchorage connection meets the Test Level-2 loading requirements found in AASHTO's Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Specification. When load on the bridge rail post was increased to failure, it resulted in a type of damage that will be easily repairable using epoxy grout. Further testing may show that higher test levels can be achieved by filling this area of the FRP deck with epoxy grout to resist a punching failure.

The deck panels are suitable for the intended application under standard AASHTO loading.

Page last modified on June 30, 2016
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000