BRIDGE REHABILITATION, STRENGTHENING AND SEISMIC RETROFIT WITH A NEW LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM DECK SYSTEM

An understrength historic suspension bridge and a narrow substandard major arterial bridge were rehabilitated to current standards in 1996 using a new lightweight aluminum deck system that is strong, fatigue resistant, has natural corrosion resistance without protective coating, requires minimal maintenance and has very low life-cycle costs. The new bridge deck system is under consideration for redecking several movable and an array of short, medium and long span bridges. It offers a very rapid bridge deck replacement alternative where traffic must be minimally delayed during redecking operations. The panels for this system are prefabricated, including the wearing surface, in sizes which are limited only by transportation constraints. For temporary or detour bridges, its minimal weight and ease of assembly offers superior advantages over other systems available today. At 22 pounds per square foot including the wearing surface, this light weight deck system offer significant advantages for retrofit of seismically vulnerable bridges. The Seismically induced forces from the superstructure are reduced 50 to 90 percent as compared to conventional deck systems. Comparisons with the recently completed Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored seismic bridge design examples confirms the advantages of aluminum decks in seismic areas.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Iowa State University, Ames

    Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
    Town Engineering Building
    Ames, IA  United States  50011-3232
  • Authors:
    • Ahlskog, J J
  • Conference:
  • Publication Date: 1997-3

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References;
  • Pagination: p. 33-43

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00802416
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 29 2000 12:00AM