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FRP CANTILEVER SIDEWALKS

FRP composite cantilever sidewalk system

FRP cantilever sidewalks expand user experiences from a narrow crumbling concrete sidewalk hugging vehicle traffic to a wide sidewalk safely separated from cars and trucks. The key is lightweight decking that is strong enough to handle crowds of people without putting large dead loads on the vehicle bridge. Pedestrians want to be separated from motor traffic whenever possible. Reducing the width or number of vehicle lanes to accommodate a pedestrian walkway is not a safe alternative. Building a separate bridge carries a high price tag, so adding or expanding sidewalks on vehicle bridges with lightweight technology is an ideal solution.

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An FRP cantilever sidewalk consists of decking panels on steel or FRP supports that attach to a vehicle bridge’s exterior beams. FRP decking is 80 percent lighter than reinforced concrete panels. Prefabrication makes construction quicker and installation costs lower. Owners reap long term savings thanks to the natural corrosion resistance and low maintenance of FRP material.

MORE FRP SIDEWALK DECKING OPTIONS

Creative Composites Group offers a number of decking options that can be used to fabricate cantilever sidewalks. When selecting the best option, the Group’s designers consider criteria such as pedestrian and vehicle operating loads, sidewalk width, support span, specified design features and installation limitations. The design flexibility of FRP means the ability to develop the best configuration for a bridge owner’s needs. Pultruded decking—similar in width to timber planking—lasts decades longer than wood. Large panels that use infusion molding to incorporate design features, such as a cross-slope and curbs, offer another approach. Both fabrication methods provide superior performance, lightweight and corrosion resistance.

For more details on product options, read our blog on this topic.

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WHAT SETS FRP APART?

  • Lightweight FRP deck construction allows design engineers to tie into existing bridges with minimal increase in structural load
  • Weighing 80 percent lighter than reinforced concrete panels, FRP decking provides a dead load of just 4 to 9 psf. The engineered FiberSpan system consists of stringers, deck, and railing that weigh as little as 13 psf
  • Prefabrication accelerates construction, delivers high-quality parts and reduces installation costs
  • Safe, ADA compliant walkways are equipped with a non-slip overlay in many color choices

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • The only limitation is being able to ship the panels to your site. There are no shape limitations. We do both straight and curved bridges, as well as crowns. Bridge decks panels are up to 50 ft by 12 ft. Pilings are 100 ft long.

  • FRP Decks can be manufactured with:

    • Cross Slope
    • Curbs
    • Drainage scuppers
    • Rail posts connection points
    • Non-slip overlay
  • Decks are typically connected to the superstructure supports using mechanically fastened clips that capture the underside of the beam flange. This connection restrains the deck for vertical loads (live, uplift) while allowing for construction tolerances and thermal expansion differences. The clips are sized for compaction against the beam flange. At the clip locations, steel plates are embedded in the deck. Holes are drilled and tapped to provide for easy installation on the bridge. Other methods of connection are available as for bridges with unique requirements.
  • FRP decking can be engineered for desired properties such as stiffness, strength and coefficient of thermal expansion. The range of CTE values for FRP decking is 6.5 to 10.5 x 10^-6 in/in/ᵒF. The critical direction is usually the longitudinal bridge direction with FRP decking on steel stringers. The FRP typically has a CTE of 7.5 x 10^-6 in/in/ᵒF in this direction and is connected to the steel with a CTE of 6 x 10^-6 in/in/ᵒF.

  • FRP bridge decks are designed to the same AASHTO requirements as traditional material decks.

    For pedestrian decks, this is 90 psf uniform live load and an H-5 vehicle load (10,000 lb.) for decks up to 10 ft wide; and an H-10 vehicle load of 20,000 lb for decks wider than 10 ft.

    For vehicles decks, the fully load semi-tractor trailer requirement of HL-93 or HS-25 is handled.

    Special load requirements (such as live load plus snow of 150 psf) can be met since FRP has much design flexibility.

  • There are two options for panel-to-panel joints:

    • A foam backing seal with a high elongation sealant on top. The sealant allows for many color options and can match the overlay of the deck.
    • The second option is pre-compressed foam and silicone strip that is bonded to the panel edge. This is a product used in parking garages and is long lasting. However, the silicone cap only comes in black. CA includes the required panel-to-panel joint gap size during installation to ensure there is adequate sealant width to handle the thermal movement. The recommended gap is typically 3/8” for pedestrian decks and rail platforms.

  • Expansion joints are necessary at bridge span ends where there are higher amounts of movement (ranging from 1” to 4”). There are two options for expansion joints:

    A bonded foam strip which may or may not be covered with an expansion cover plate. A set of steel rails with a neoprene gland. The rail is bolted to one deck panel and slides over the adjacent panel. The thickness of both panels is stepped down in the cover plate area.

  • For safety, a non-slip wear surface overlay is applied in the shop to the top surface of pedestrian decks. The pedestrian version uses a quartz aggregate in a methyl methacrylate polymer. The quartz aggregate comes in a variety of colors and is unaffected by UV radiation and will not fade. Vehicle bridges use an aluminum oxide coating. This is affected by steel snow plow blades. Trail bridges with low traffic use an epoxy grit overlay.
  • The oldest FRP pedestrian deck with a non-slip coating is a bike path in Ohio which was installed in 1998. It is exposed to snow and ice and has not required any repair. Quartz aggregate wear surfaces last 25-50 years depending on the amount and type of traffic they are exposed to. Recoating is generally a cosmetic issue; even if the wear surface is scratched or gouged, there is no structural degradation.
  • The non-slip overlay is available in different grit sizes ranging from light grit for bare foot traffic to coarse grit for vehicle traffic.

  • If scratched or chipped, the wear surface can be filled with new material.

    Clean the damaged area by grinding away jagged edges. Wipe with a solvent cleaner to remove dust and oil. Mix the estimated amount of the two-part wear surface. Ensure the correct ratio of part A and part B is used. Trowel the new wear surface on the damaged area. Use a 3/8” nap paint roller to create an even, textured wear surface. Roll over the new wear surface only one or two times. Additional rolling will start pulling the new wear surface off as the material sticks to the roller.

    The temperature must be above 60°F to apply the wear surface. The wear surface requires time at temperature without rain to correctly set up. It takes one day at temperatures above 80°F. It takes three days at a temperature of 70°F. It takes five days at a temperature of 60°F.

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