Ultra-high performance concrete composite decks for long-span coastal bridges (OSU)

Coastal and marine environments present some of the most aggressive conditions for bridges, due to exposure to salt spray, high humidity, chloride ingress, and cyclic wet-dry cycles. Many of the nation’s longest span bridges are in and around tightly constrained coastal regions and these bridges commonly employ orthotropic steel decks (OSD) to reduce dead weight and improve structural efficiency. Conventional orthotropic steel plate decks are vulnerable to fatigue cracks in welded joints, deck plate corrosion, and deterioration of overlays under harsh environmental loading. Many of these OSDs are failing well short of their intended design lives. To overcome these limitations, this project will develop and validate a novel UHPC-composite steel rib deck system as a replacement for conventional OSDs for long-span bridges. Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) offers high compressive strength, ductility, low permeability, and durability. We propose to make relatively thin UHPC slabs composite with strategically embedded structural steel ribs to produce a direct replacement for conventional OSDs but with reduced weight, equivalent or better stiffness and load carrying capacity while mitigating past persistent fatigue and corrosion issues. The research consists of four (4) phases. First, conceptual design and modeling: we will create analytical and finite element models of composite deck panels, varying parameters such as rib geometry, spacing, shear connectors, UHPC thickness, and interface behavior. Second, fabrication and laboratory testing of prototype panels that will be constructed and tested under repeated load cycles modelling wheel loads on the deck surface, environmental (freeze/thaw, chloride exposure), and static failure tests to measure structural performance characteristics including stiffness, crack patterns, fatigue life, and ultimate capacity. Third, interface and connection optimization where shear connections between the UHPC and steel ribs will be optimized to produce reliable composite action and minimal slip under repeated loading. Fourth, develop design guidelines using test data to produce simplified design rules and apply the system concept to a real long-span bridge as a case study.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $100,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348330

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Coastal Research and Transportation Education (CREATE) University Transportation Center

  Texas State University
  San Marcos, TX  United States  78666

  Oregon State University, Corvallis

  School of Civil and Construction Engineering
  101 Kearney Hall
  Corvallis, OR  United States  97331-2302
• Managing Organizations:

  Coastal Research and Transportation Education (CREATE) University Transportation Center

  Texas State University
  San Marcos, TX  United States  78666
• Project Managers:

  Bruner, Britain

  Kulesza, Stacey

• Performing Organizations:

  Oregon State University, Corvallis

  School of Civil and Construction Engineering
  101 Kearney Hall
  Corvallis, OR  United States  97331-2302
• Principal Investigators:

  Higgins, Christopher

• Start Date: 20260101
• Expected Completion Date: 20261231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Bridge decks; Bridge design; Coasts; Fatigue limit; Long span bridges; Ultra high performance concrete
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01978104
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Coastal Research and Transportation Education (CREATE) University Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348330
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 31 2026 12:05PM