Bridge Components

COMPOSOLITE® | EXTREN DWB® | SAFPLANK® | SAFPLANK HD®

Pedestrian Bridges and Vehicular Bridge System Components

Strongwell is actively involved in the advancement of FRP technology for civil infrastructure applications. These efforts include the research and development of new FRP products as well as involvement with ASCE, AASHTO, ASTM, FHWA and NIST in the establishment of engineering and performance standards.
Emerging applications for Strongwell's pultruded FRP products include pedestrian bridges, AASHTO HS-25 bridge superstructures, decks and guard rails. The bridge industry's interest in FRP as a replacement for traditional steel and concrete materials is due to:

• • Inability of traditional materials to resist corrosion
  • Rising costs of traditional materials (steel, wood, concrete) and associated increasing installation labor costs
  • Less public inconvenience and improved construction worker safety due to shorter installation periods
  • Significantly lower long term maintenance and replacement costs
  • The useful life extension of existing bridge superstructures with lightweight FRP bridge decks

COMPOSOLITE®

COMPOSOLITE® is a patented advanced composite building panel system suitable for major load bearing structural applications. The modular construction system consists of a small number of interlocking fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) structural components produced by the pultrusion process. The main building panels are 3.15" (80mm) thick and either 23.68" or 13.70" (601.5mm or 348.0mm) wide and feature a cellular construction. Through the use of toggles and/or hangers, panels can be connected to one another, to 3-way connectors, or to 45 degree connectors. This uniquely designed system of interlocking components makes it possible to design fiberglass structures at significantly lower costs for a broad range of construction applications. COMPOSOLITE structures can be designed to be shipped flat to the job site.

System Design

COMPOSOLITE is a system of five interlocking components manufactured of pultruded fiberglass reinforced polymer. The system combines manufacturing simplicity with an almost unlimited number of configurations. The COMPOSOLITE panel features integral grooves into which a toggle is inserted during assembly. 3-way and 45 degree connectors allow the system components to turn corners and facilitate the joining of walls or sides. For added flexibility, the system also includes a hanger and an end cap. Joints between panels and connectors are bonded during final assembly. Adhesive is applied along the length of the panel and connector.

The toggle, to which adhesive is not applied, is then inserted as an assembly aid to mechanically secure the components and create even pressure along the length of the joint until the adhesive between the structural components cures.

EXTREN DWB®

Strongwell’s EXTREN DWB® (Double Web Beam) was developed through a three-year cooperative program between Strongwell and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advanced Technology Program (ATP). The goal of Strongwell’s ATP project was to design, develop and produce an optimized fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) structural shape for use in heavy structures such as vehicular bridges and offshore drilling platforms. The program included the development of manufacturing processes and equipment to produce this product.

The result of Strongwell’s efforts is a double web beam with carbon fibers in the top and bottom flanges for increased stiffness. The carbon/glass “hybrid” (hybrid refers to the combination of carbon and glass reinforcements) beam has a greatly increased modulus of elasticity and the double web shape has significantly improved the lateral torsional stability of the beam. This increased stability is very significant and reduces the beam’s need for lateral bracing. Strongwell presently produces two different sizes, an 8" x 6" EXTREN DWB (8” DWB) and a 36" x 18" EXTREN DWB (36” DWB).

Both of these sizes have undergone extensive laboratory testing and have been proven through real-world applications.

SAFPLANK®

SAFPLANK is a high strength system of fiberglass planks designed to interlock to form a continuous solid surface. Available in 2" deep by 12" or 24" wide panels. When inverted, SAFPLANK serves as an excellent concrete forming system in applications where corrosion and weight are construction concerns.

Polyester resin is acceptable when pultruded FRP shapes are used as a stay in place (SIP) form, but for concrete installations where long-term structural integrity is required, vinyl ester resin should be used.

For other concrete reinforcement options, visit the Structural Reinforcements page.

SAFPLANK HD®

SAFPLANK HD is a larger and stronger version of SAFPLANK, used in applications where additional strength or longer spans are required. Like, SAFPLANK, SAFPLANK HD is corrosion and rot resistant and planks can be utilized to form a continuous solid surface. The 6" deep by 36" wide panels are available in 20' and 24' lengths. Other lengths are available upon request. SAFPLANK HD may be ordered with a grit surface or with a smooth surface for non-pedestrian applications.