Design Equations and Example for FRP Deck-Steel Girder Bridge System

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks have been increasingly used in both rehabilitation and new constructions because of their many advantages. However, the design process is not in a code format, and individual decks and bridges are designed on a job-by-job basis. The development of standards and guidelines is needed to promote wider acceptance of FRP decks. Extensive research has been conducted by the authors and collaborators on modeling, optimization, and stiffness and strength evaluations of FRP decks; shear connectors for FRP deck to steel girders; and bridge system concepts, in terms of both experimental investigations and analytical solutions. Based on these research findings, this paper proposes a set of design guidelines considering the strength of the FRP deck subjected to out-of-plane compression, out-of-plane shear, and bending; static and fatigue strengths of the deck-to-girder shear connector; and effective flange width of the bridge system. A design example is provided to illustrate the use of the proposed design guidelines. (C) 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.