It’s no secret that bridges freeze faster than roads. It’s primarily because bridges are open underneath, causing them to lose heat from all sides. Salt and chemicals like chloride and acetate-based de-icers are routinely used to control slick surfaces. Demand for these and other chemical compounds have grown with the number of commuters.
According to U.S. Geological Survey data, the nation used about 164,000 tons of road salt in 1940. It broke 1 million tons in 1954, 10 million in 1985, and now averages more than 24 million tons a year.
De-icing practices disintegrate concrete and corrode steel, two materials commonly used in bridges and rail platforms. Biological scientist Rick Relyea, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute near Albany, New York, is also concerned about the impact of road salt on the environment and drinking water.
Creative Composites Group’s Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) decking for vehicle and pedestrian bridges and rail platforms is being adopted by bridge and railway owners in the Northeastern and Midwestern regions as a robust alternative to conventional materials. FRP is corrosion and chemical-resistant. It can withstand freezing and thawing cycles because FRP’s structural properties are rated at -40 degrees Fahrenheit up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Quick installation without the need for heavy equipment is also an advantage in cold weather.
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