Innovative bridge engineering heritage repair: Birkenhead GFRP BridgeDeck System

The utlisation of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) materials in civil/structural applications have exponentially increased in the last few years. The increased use of GFRP was in both forms as in new structures, and repairing/retrofitting existing ones. The reason behind using FRP materials in the vast majority of recent structural repair/retrofitting projects is the unique and favoured characteristics in terms of strength, weight, durability and corrosion resistance. These superior properties make GFRP materials very versatile and always attract new areas of applications. A good example of that is GFRP bridge decks as they are a perfect replacement for deteriorated old decking system without increasing the dead weight of the structures which eliminate the need for any foundation retrofitting work. The Birkenhead bascule bridge is an excellent case study for GFRP bridge decks as the old timber deck was being replaced twice a year for a certain period of time until it is been swapped with innovative GFRP BridgeDeck manufactured by Wagners. This paper describes the case study of Birkenhead bridge deck replacement, and discusses the various stages of work involved in this project to make it achievable. The various work stages involve manufacturing processes, fabrication and assembly, experimental static and cyclic tests, proof loads, FEA analysis, detailed engineering design and installation. Finally, it highlights the structural integrity of the utilised BridgDeck in such applications.

• Record URL:
  • https://austroads.com.au/publications/bridges/abc2022-000-22
• Record URL:
  • https://arrbknowledge.com
• Authors:
  • Mohammed, A
  • Kemp, M
  • McElroy, R
  • Jennings, B
• Conference:
  • Austroads Bridge Conference, 11th, 2022, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
• Publication Date: 2022-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 12p
• Monograph Title: 11th Austroads Bridge Conference, Adelaide, 15th-18th November 2022

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridge management systems; Bridges; Case studies; Glass; Maintenance; Material reinforcement; Movable bridges; Polymers; Repairing; Retrofitting
• Uncontrolled Terms: Glass fibre
• Geographic Terms: Australia; South Australia
• ATRI Terms: Bridge deck; Bridge maintenance; Case study; Lifting bridge; Polymer; Reinforcement; Repair; Retrofitting
• ITRD Terms: 8531: Case study; 3457: Lifting bridge; 3471: Reinforcement (in mater)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01901754
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB Group Limited
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 7 2023 2:54PM