HITEC evaluation plan for assessment of FRP bridge deck systems

摘要

Due to their light weight and potentially high durability with attendant low life-cycle cost fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks are increasingly being considered for use both as replacement decks on existing girders and for new bridge systems. Despite the existence of a number of demonstration bridges using a variety of deck systems there is a lack of a comprehensive set of assessment criteria as well as a validated database that could be used by designers and State Departments of Transportation for assessment of systems. This paper presents a synopsis of an evaluation plan established by the Civil Engineering Research Foundation through its Highway Innovative Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC) in conjunction with the FHWA and state design engineers.