Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) decks

i. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is a composite made of highstrength fibers and a matrix for binding these fibers to fabricate
structural shapes. Common fiber types include aramid, carbon, glass,
and high-strength steel; common matrices are epoxies and esters.
ii. Originally developed for aircraft (in 1950s), these composites have
been used successfully in a variety of structural applications such as
aircraft fuselages, ship hulls, cargo containers, high-speed trains, and
turbine blades.
iii. FRP composite has been successfully in civil engineering since 1980s
for retrofitting all basic structural components, namely, beams,
columns, slabs, and walls.
iv. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks have been built
using proprietary systems and commercially available at the present
time can be classified according to two types of construction:
sandwich and adhesively bonded pultruded shapes.
v. Primary benefits of FRP decks include durability, light weight, high
strength, corrosion resistant, rapid installation, lower or competitive
life cycle cost, and high-quality manufacturing processes under
controlled environments. Compared with cast-in-place concrete
decks, FRP bridge decks typically weigh 80% less, can be erected
twice as fast, and have service lives that can be two to three times
greater.
vi. FRP decks are used in both rehabilitation projects and new
constructions due to their reduced weight and maintenance costs as
well as their enhanced durability and service life. Numerous bridges
with FRP decks have been built all over the world.
vii.
The design process is still at a preliminary stage and not in a
code format. Individual decks and bridges are designed on a job-byjob basis, usually using a combination of sample testing, numerical
finite element technique, and empirical judgment. Apparently, such
approaches have hampered the wider acceptance of relatively new
and innovative FRP bridge decks.
viii.
What is maximum span and bridge width for using the FRP
decks?
ix. Characterizations of stiffness and strength properties of FRP decks:
a.

How you evaluate the deck stiffness?

b.

How you evaluate the strength for these decks?

x. How you evaluate the effective flange width and load distribution
factor for a FRP deck and steel girder bridge system?