FRP DECK FOR WEST MILL BRIDGE, UK

The construction industry is however now moving towards using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) as the main structural load-carrying members in new build applications following on from the success of advanced composite materials in the aerospace and motor racing industries. The USA has led the way in using FRP decks to replace corroded concrete or steel decks on bridge structures with success. The benefits of composites, lightweight, high strength, good durability, fatigue and creep behaviour, and the reduced installation costs have all contributed to the potential. Further projects, both actual and research, are continuing in this field. The first all FRP bridge (deck & main beams) to be constructed on the public highway in Western Europe, West Mill Bridge, was recently opened in Oxfordshire, UK, and was the main deliverable of the 4 year European Commission funded research and development project ASSET, that developed the technology to cost-effectively and efficiently produce FRP components for use in new build applications. This paper gives details of the ASSET project, and describes the analysis, design and successful construction of West Mill Bridge. For the covering abstract see ITRD E122906.