reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge on a public road. We installed the bridge on November 8, 1996 over No-Name Creek, just three miles west of Russell, Kansas. This prototype short-span bridge in Russell County, Kansas demonstrates the viability of the structural panel concept. The bridge is 23 feet long, is 27 feet wide, and is capable of supporting an AASHTO HS-25 load in both lanes (it is estimated that the bridge can support 1,500,000 pounds). Work is continuing on the design and installation of structural panels to redeck several bridges as a cost effective method of rehabilitating these bridges and extending their useful lives.
The use of fiberglass in KSCI's FRPH sandwich construction produces a lightweight, corrosion-resistant panel that is
relatively low in cost when compared to more exotic aerospace composite constructions which can typically cost hundreds of dollars per pound. The cost of these panels can be favorably compared to more conventional construction materials when the reduced costs of installation and public inconvenience are considered. Prototypes can be built at costs of between $3 and $5 per pound. FRP panels typically weigh 15-20% of comparable products built with concrete and steel.
Over 112,000 bridges in the US are rated as either structurally or functionally deficien
t. It is well known that FRP bridges offers some significant advantages in their resistance to salts, moisture, decay, etc. This resistance to environmental decay can produce a bridge (including the deck) with an expected lifespan of up to 100 years. The problem of using FRP on a large scale as a bridge building material is foremost one of economics. FRP products, especially those designed for aerospace applications, are far too expensive to be affordable as an alternative to conventional materials in building bridges. The significant technical problem is to produce a FRP bridge that can complete with concrete and steel. KSCI can produce FRP that can compete directly with concrete and steel on an upfront cost basis - without having to rely upon 100 year life cycle cost projections.
There are many uses for FRP panels. We are just starting to explore the possibilities. They can be used for barriers, docks, marinas, covers, blast shields, vehicle platforms for unstable ground, rapid construction, bridges, bridge decks, etc. One of the more intriguing uses we found was for blast protection. In a contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers, we developed a "fox-hole" cover that could be rapidly placed over a hole to provide overhead cover. For ballistic penetration and blast protection, sand bags could then be stacked on top. Tests showed that a 3 inch panel filled with sand, without sandbags or other additions, would stop multiple 7.62 ball rounds fired at point blank range.
We invite you to look at our bridge as an example of our work. We have only just begun.....
We had some help from our friends in building the bridge. They made a wonderful team.