DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TWO FRP PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES IN HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, MAUI, HAWAII

摘要

The construction of two fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) truss bridges in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui, in Hawaii have been investigated in this study. The two bridges, 12.3 m (40'-0") and 24.6 m (80'-0") in length, were constructed using E.T. Techtonics, Inc.'s new lightweight FRP building system (LONGSPAN PRESTEK). The system is constructed using fiberglass/isophthalic polyester resin channels and tubes. The case study will address the structural problems posed by the longspan nature of the project, the difficult site constraints which had to be overcome in the shipping and the erection of the bridges, and the overall advantages derived in using the LONGSPAN PRESTEK System in comparison to traditional structural systems such as wood, steel and concrete in a tropical environment of this type. It will also evaluate the aesthetic considerations in the overall design of the bridges and resulting visual image in the landscape.