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Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Honeycomb Bridge Deck Heating Evaluation

Taylor, Bradley J.

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Toledo, Civil Engineering.

An experimental study was conducted concerning the use of bridge heating technology on a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Honeycomb (FRPH) bridge deck. The main objective of the study was to determine whether heating in an FRPH application is feasible. Testing demonstrated that not only were there no adverse effects from heating the FRPH, but that less energy is required to heat a FRPH bridge deck than a concrete deck.

A test setup was created to determine approximate values of the thermal conductivity of the FRP used in the bridge deck flange and the polymer concrete used in the deck wearing surface. The calculated values suggest that conduction upward to the deck surface should offer the path of least resistance for heat flow from the deck heaters.

An exploration of the environmental sustainability issues surrounding FRP construction was conducted. The results of this study suggest that FRPH construction has less environmental impact than concrete construction.

Small specimens (20”x28”) were outfitted with electrical heating cables and numerous temperature sensors to simulate a bridge deck application. Specimens were created out of both FRPH and concrete and operated under controlled thermal conditions to determine the compatibility of heating systems with FRPH and to compare the energy requirements to that of heated concrete decks. The systems were operated in an assumed worst-case scenario: from a cold start with a layer of ice on the surface. Results showed that the FRPH behaved well in a heating situation and should prove promising in specialty applications.

Douglas Nims (Advisor)
Cyril Masiulaniec (Committee Member)
Defne Apul (Committee Member)
116 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Taylor, B. J. (2009). Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Honeycomb Bridge Deck Heating Evaluation [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1260205596

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Taylor, Bradley. Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Honeycomb Bridge Deck Heating Evaluation. 2009. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1260205596.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Taylor, Bradley. "Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Honeycomb Bridge Deck Heating Evaluation." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1260205596

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)