Bridge Deck Design Criteria and Testing Procedures

New deck systems, such as steel grid and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) on stringers and floor beams, were introduced in recent years and are now finding increased use because of their lighter weight and ability to increase live load capacity without the need for costly superstructure and substructure strengthening. Because these decks differ from conventional decks, different criteria must be stipulated for their design to ensure serviceability and performance. Also, different testing procedures may be required to evaluate and validate deck designs. Current design criteria are based on limited analytical and experimental studies that might disregard some key factors associated with the design of these new systems. Also, current testing procedures may provide appropriate guidance relative to conventional bridge decks but may not adequately address the design elements or materials used in newly developed deck systems. In spite of their potential benefits, the use of new and innovative bridge decks is hampered by the lack of adequate information on their design criteria and appropriate testing procedures for deck evaluation. Research is needed to identify the factors that influence strength, durability, and long-term performance of bridge decks and to recommend rational design criteria and testing procedures applicable to a variety of decks. These criteria and procedures will provide highway agencies with the information necessary for evaluating bridge deck options and making rational decisions regarding their acceptance and use. The objectives of this research are to recommend design criteria and testing procedures for bridge decks. These criteria and procedures shall be prepared in a format suitable for consideration and adoption by the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) as part of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. The research shall be limited to steel grid decks, decks using any fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials, and other innovative bridge decks on stringers and/or floor beams.

• Record URL:
  http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=292

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $499836.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 10-72

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Hanna, Amir

• Performing Organizations:

  Purdue University, West Lafayette

  School of Mechanical Engineering
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907
• Principal Investigators:

  Connor, Robert

• Start Date: 20060911
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20120415
• Source Data: RiP Project 11094

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridge design; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fiber reinforced concrete; Loads; Reinforced concrete; Reinforced concrete bridges
• Identifier Terms: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01464884
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
• Contract Numbers: Project 10-72
• Files: RIP, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 3 2013 2:51PM