National Transport Library Research Database

Steel sandwich bridge decks (Steel sandwich bridge decks (SS-Decks))

Sponsors, duration, budget: Trafikverket ; 2016-06-01 -- 2019-09-30 Registration number:
  • Trafikverket 2016/74818
Subject(s): Abstract: This project proposal is focused on the development and verification of new type of bridge decks made of steel. The bridge deck concept is composed of a sandwich plate with two (top and bottom) plates separated with a core made of a corrugated plate. Later development in laser and hybrid-laser welding process allow for a fully automated, well controlled manufacturing process of such elements, which delivers high quality bridge decks for relatively low price. It is believed that sandwich plates of the type proposed here will not only provide a more robust and cost-efficient substitute to traditional bridge decks made of steel (i.e. orthotropic decks) but will also open for new bridge concept with industrialized manufacturing and rapid on-site erection and construction process. This holds particularly true for short-span road bridges, but conducted case-studies suggest similar benefits in medium-span bridges which are today dominated by composite steel-concrete bridges. The proposed project has already started in January 2015 with ca 45% funding from Statens Vegvesen in Norway and complementary funding from Vinnova. This application targets a complementary funding for a PhD project for three years with start in June 2016. The work in the project will focus on the development and validation of bridge decks and bridge concepts where steel sandwich plates are utilized. Analytical and numerical work, assisted by extensive testing are meant to help in designing sandwich plate concepts that fulfil the requirements relevant for bridges. Research work on this topic has been ongoing at the Department of Structural Engineering – Chalmers since 2011. Feasibility studies demonstrated material and weigh saving with up to 44% on a movable bridge when the orthotropic deck is replaced by a steel sandwich deck. On a medium span bridge which was constructed by incremental launching of the steel girders and then in-situ casted concrete deck, a sandwich deck pre-installed on the steel girders allows for a launching of the complete bridge which gives much shorter construction time.
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