Automated Laser Welded High Performance Steel Sandwich Bridge Deck Development

Automated, low heat-input hybrid laser welding technology offers great potential to improve steel bridge fabrication and streamline weld inspection. The process, known as Hybrid Laser Arc Welding (HLAW), enables the development of innovative high performance steel bridge components and construction methods. Recently developed to modernize US Navy shipbuilding, advanced laser-fabricated structures are finding their way into bridge construction where their high-strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistant characteristics are a premium. The lead design innovation is a hollow-core high performance all-steel sandwich panel bridge deck that has been developed and will be tested under FHWA and Maine DOT sponsorship. This deck system is designed to provide a low maintenance 100 year service life alternative to other bridge deck systems. The breakthrough HLAW technology facilitates the use of thinner steel plates and in turn reduces material and fabrication costs. The hollow steel sandwich structures enabled by laser welding are capable of achieving high stiffness, strength and durability, while providing the designer significant opportunities to reduce component self weight. There is also promise that the fatigue life of laser welded sandwich panel systems will exceed that of orthotropic steel decks. The use of new cost-effective, high performance stainless steels in these structures will allow them to be deployed without corrosion concerns and at reasonable costs. Progress will be reported on the development, testing and deployment of this technology.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Abbott, Stephen P
  • Caccese, Vincent
  • Thompson, Larry
  • Blomquist, Paul A
  • Hansen, Edward E
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2008-1-13 to 2008-1-17
• Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 17p
• Monograph Title: TRB 87th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Costs; Fatigue (Mechanics); Lasers; Sandwich construction; Service life; Stainless steel; Steel bridges
• Identifier Terms: Hybrid Laser Arc Welding
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I34: Steels and Metals;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01090961
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 08-0286
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 31 2008 8:03AM