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October 12, 2009
Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Reinforced Concrete Bridge Design
Building a Bridge of (and to) the Future (www.nytimes.com, October 12, 200) describes the innovative use of inflatable carbon and glass fiber arch forms in the construction of economical arched concrete highway bridges.
23 tubes, roughly 12 inches in diameter are inflated, bent to the proper shape, and infused with resin. The lightweight hollow tubes can then be lifted into position by just two workers. Once set in place, the tubes are filled with concrete to make inexpensive composite arches.
The FRP reinforcing is more resistant to corrosion than traditional steel reinforcing and lighter in weight. In this system, the lack of expensive formwork creates an added economy.
Interesting graphics and audio are also included.
See also Bridge In a Backpack.
October 12, 2009 in 13 Concrete Construction, 14 Sitecast Concrete Framing Systems | Permalink
Comments
"23 tubes, roughly 12 inches in diameter are inflated, bent to the proper shape, and infused with resin. The lightweight hollow tubes can then be lifted into position by just two workers. Once set in place, the tubes are filled with concrete to make inexpensive composite arches."
Whoa now that can save on some construction costs! I used to work for NDOR and they spent millions to construct one stinking bridge out in the middle of nowhere.They had 30 of us working on it. I can hardly imagine how much money this could save in labor.
Posted by: Boom Trucks | Jul 11, 2010 8:15:45 PM
