Theoretical and experimental analysis of FRP bridge deck under cold temperatures Online publication date: Fri, 01-Dec-2006
by Woraphot Prachasaree, Hota V.S. GangaRao, Krit Laosiriphong, Vimala Shekar, Jerry Whitlock
International Journal of Materials and Product Technology (IJMPT), Vol. 28, No. 1/2, 2007
Abstract: The large temperature difference (~120°F) between the top and bottom of a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge deck is attributed to low thermal conductivity of FRP materials and low thermal mass because of hollow core FRP decks. In this study, laboratory tests were conducted on glass FRP deck modules under low temperature gradient. A theoretical beam model was used to analyse the FRP deck-steel stringer system while closed form solutions (based on Macro Approach and Navier– Levy method) were derived using the plate bending theory for FRP deck modules. In addition, thermal stress evaluations from field test data were evaluated using theoretical models. The laboratory test data indicated that the FRP decks sag when they were subjected to negative temperature difference. Deflections and expansion of the deck top increased as the difference between the Ttop and Tbottom increased. Partial deck restraint, provided by steel stringers, resulted in partially induced stresses.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Materials and Product Technology (IJMPT):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook