Tentative Design Rules for Innovative Bridge DecksComprising Sandwich Plate System Panels

摘要

Bridge decks in Canada, a vulnerable part of our transportation infrastructure, havernrequired rehabilitation that is costly and disrupts traffic. To increase the life of concreterndecks concrete quality has been improved and various schemes used to reduce orrneliminate cracking insofar as possible.rnThe Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, CAN/CSA-S6-00, a Limit States Designrndocument gives the basic requirements for the Ultimate, Fatigue and Serviceability LimitrnStates, as applicable, for bridges comprising different materials such as steel, concrete,rnwood.rnThis paper presents the proposed Limit States Design rules for innovative bridge decksrncomprising Sandwich Plate System (SPS) Panels that replace concrete decks. Thernrules could form an integral part of Section 10 Steel Structures of the CHBDC.rnSPS deck panels are shop fabricated by injecting a two-part thermosetting liquidrnelastomer into a cavity formed by two steel faceplates bounded by perimeter bars. Thernelastomer core bonds to the steel, acts as a web and provides continuous support to thernfaces precluding local plate buckling and eliminates closely-spaced stiffeners thoughrnstiffening plates may be added. The flexural stiffness and strength are tailored asrnrequired by using appropriate thicknesses for the sandwich elements. The ShenleyrnBridge constructed in 2003 in Québec is presented as an example. Expectedrnadvantages of SPS panels are reduced time for construction, weight and maintenance.rnThe elastomer dampens vibrations naturally. Composite action with main structuralrnelements increases their stiffness and flexural strength appreciably. Long life isrnforeseen.