Polyurethane Foam Infill for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bridge Deck Panels

摘要: Although still in their infancy, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridges have shown great promise eliminating corrosion concerns and meeting (or exceeding) the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA’s) goal of 100-year life spans for bridges. While FRP are cost-effective terms cycle analyses, combination higher first costs limited state department transportation (DOT) budgets has restricted use. One area that some headway is use bridge decks, focusing on location where majority corrosion-related damage normally occurs. However, hamper widespread this approach. deck panels offer superior resistance, at one-fifth weight reinforced concrete. current typically rely an intricate geometric honeycomb system between top bottom layers sandwich panel. This labor-intensive construction more than doubles cost compared to longevity overall reductions weight, lower concrete precludes decks situations. Closed-cell, high-density polyurethane foams cost, offering a alternative complex construction. Structural with foam infill well established other commercial applications, such as automobiles, aircraft, prefabricated buildings. Several recent advances formulations resulted material can resist localized compressive stresses fatigue loading beneath truck wheel, making type panel viable decks. Once these compete against first-cost basis, significantly longer expectancies will save considerable money Missouri Department Transportation (MoDOT) residents Missouri. The objective research was develop, test, evaluate fiber-reinforced, (PU) replace costly currently used manufacture panels. Initially, effort focused developing precast, stay-in-place forms construct during course project, expanded include full-depth well. report documents results study.