This book presents the analysis and design of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge decks, which have been increasingly implemented in rehabilitation projects and new construction due to their reduced weight, lower maintenance costs, and enhanced durability. It compiles the necessary information, based primarily on research by the authors, to facilitate the development of standards and guidelines for using FRP decks in bridge designs. The book combines analytical models, numerical analyses, and experimental investigations, which can be applied to various design formulations. It also, for the first time, offers a complete set of design guidelines.

"A fiber-reinforced, polyurethane foam core was developed, tested, and evaluated as a possible replacement for the costly honeycomb core that is currently used to manufacture fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge deck panels. Replacing these panels would reduce both initial production costs and construction times while also enhancing structural performance. Experimental, numerical, and analytical investigations were each conducted. Three different polyurethane foam (PU) configurations were used for the inner core during the study's first phase. These configurations consisted of a high-density PU foam (Type 1), a gridwork of thin, interconnecting, glass fiber/resin webs that formed a bidirectional gridwork in-filled with a low-density PU foam (Type 2), and a trapezoidal-shaped, low-density PU foam that utilized E-glass web layers (Type 3). Based on the experimental results of this phase, the Type 3 core was recommended to move forward to the second phase of the study, where a larger-scale version of the Type 3, namely "−mid-scale panels," were tested both statically and dynamically. Analytical models and finite element analysis (FEA) were each conducted during a third phase. Analytical models were used to predict critical facesheet wrinkling that had been observed during phase two. A three-dimensional model using ABAQUS was developed to analyze each panel's behavior. A parametric study considering a wide variety of parameters was also conducted to further evaluate the behavior of the prototype panel. The fourth phase of this research investigated the performance of Type 3 panels under exposure to various environmental conditions to duplicate seasonal effects in Midwestern states. The results gathered from these four phases showed that the proposed Type 3 panel is a cost effective alternative to both honeycomb and reinforced concrete bridge decks."--Abstract, page iv.

An integrally molded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge was instrumented to monitor both the short-term load response of the bridge and long-term behavior of the FRP superstructure. The bridge consisted of eight FRP panels with beams and deck molded together. The bridge was instrumented and monitored for a period of approximately one year. A series of truckload tests were performed during this time to measure the deflections at various locations. Continuous monitoring recorded the transverse movement of the FRP panels at certain joint locations. The panels experienced more movement at colder temperatures than at warmer temperatures due to the opening and closing of the panel gaps caused by thermal expansion and contraction. A finite element model of the bridge was developed using SAP2000 and results from the model were compared to the truckload test results. The initial finite element model was revised to include the panel to panel connections. The model showed good agreement with the test data. A study of bridge response under a panel to panel connection failure was investigated using the developed finite element model. The panels along a failed joint experienced a significant change in terms of deflection responses, but the effect was largely localized to these panels. In general, there was no major change in the maximum stress in the bridge when a connection failed. Overall, experimental data and analytical results have demonstrated that the FRP bridge is behaving satisfactorily.

Stay-In-Place (SIP) formwork systems are widely used for concrete slabs in industry due to their relative ease and speed of construction. Conventionally, corrugated metal sheets or precast panels are used as formwork. In recent years, the SIP formwork technique has been proposed in conjunction with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites. The resulting system combines the construction advantages of SIP formwork with the durability and corrosion resistance of FRP materials. Bridge decks are a particularly enticing application due to their exposure to harsh environmental conditions and the need for rapid construction to minimize traffic disruptions. This study broadly evaluates FRP SIP formwork for concrete bridge decks both experimentally and numerically. In total, 9 full scale bridge deck sections, 32 small scale decks and more than 40 auxiliary tests were conducted, including the construction and testing of a full bridge at scale. Additionally, a numerical model was developed to predict punching shear failure based on the theory of plates and shells. Experimental testing was conducted on two FRP SIP form configurations, namely flat plates with T-shape stiffeners and corrugated plates, and used a variety of different detailing and geometries. Some of the investigated parameters included the width effect of bridge deck section tests, the effect of deck span, the effect of bond at the FRP-concrete interface, the panel-to-panel splice configuration, concrete strength, and boundary condition at support, including a monolithic connection with precise girders. Results of the study include the determination of a critical aspect ratio for bridge deck sections, optimization of the panel-to-panel splice detail, and an assessment of the in-plane restraint available to interior span bridge decks. The numerical model, based on the Levy solution for loaded plates, produces a flexural response for a variety of bridge deck configurations and geometries. A failure criterion was applied to establish the punching shear capacity. The model was evaluated against experimental results and provided good correlation. It was then used to investigate a variety of FRP plate thicknesses, spans and effective widths for full scale FRP SIP formwork bridge decks.

"Advances in FRP Composites in Civil Engineering" contains the papers presented at the 5th International Conference on Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites in Civil Engineering in 2010, which is an official conference of the International Institute for FRP in Construction (IIFC). The book includes 7 keynote papers which are presented by top professors and engineers in the world and 203 papers covering a wide spectrum of topics. These important papers not only demonstrate the recent advances in the application of FRP composites in civil engineering, but also point to future research endeavors in this exciting area. Researchers and professionals in the field of civil engineering will find this book is exceedingly valuable. Prof. Lieping Ye and Dr. Peng Feng both work at the Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, China. Qingrui Yue is a Professor at China Metallurgical Group Corporation.