Structural Characteristics of Pultruded Composite Bridge Deck of Hollow Section

In this paper, procedures and research results involved in the development of glass reinforced composite bridge deck of hollow section were presented. Laminate design for the 3 cell deck section was performed. Structural characteristics such as serviceability, strength, failure and stability for DB24 load were analytically studied through the finite element analysis for the composite deck plate girder bridge. Composite deck tube was fabricated with pultrusion and extensive tests such as flexural test, girder-connection test, barrier-connection test, compression fatigue test and flexural fatigue test were carried out to evaluate structural behavior experimentally. Also, field load test was conducted for the demonstration plate girder bridge with composite deck and requirements for the strength and serviceability were reviewed.