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Close Look at Construction Issues and Performance of Four Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Bridge Decks |
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| Authors: | Reiner M W Reising Bahram M Shahrooz Victor J Hunt Andy R Neumann Arthur J Helmicki Makarand Hastak |
| Affiliation: | 1Formerly, Doctoral Research Assistant, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Cincinnati, 765 Baldwin Hall, Cincinnati, OH?45221-0071. 2Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Cincinnati, 765 Baldwin Hall, Cincinnati, OH?45221-0071. 3Research Assistant Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Univ. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH?45221-0030. 4Former Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Cincinnati, 765 Baldwin Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071. 5Associate Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Univ. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0030. 6Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue Univ., 1294 Civil Engineering Building, West Lafayette, IN?47907-1294. |
| Abstract: | Four different fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) panel systems were installed in a 207 m, five-span, three-lane bridge in an effort to assess the constructability, performance, and applicability of bridges with fiber-reinforced polymer composite decks. This paper examines whether four common deck systems are able to realize many of the anticipated benefits of using FRP composites in lieu of conventional reinforced concrete bridge decks. Particular installation issues, connection details, and specific construction techniques for each deck system are described, along with a discussion of the shortcomings in terms of handling, performance, and serviceability. Other factors such as key design parameters (e.g., impact factor and thermal characteristics) and unexpected responses are used to further quantify the performance of four FRP representative deck systems under identical traffic and environmental constraints. |
| Keywords: | Panels Installation Thermal factors Constructability Fiber reinforced polymers Bridge decks |