Orthotopic Deck Bridges

This chapter discusses the major design issues of orthotropic steel-deck systems. Modern orthotropic welded steel-deck bridge rib systems were developed by German engineers in the 1950s. The closed-rib deck is more effective for lateral distribution of the individual wheel load than the open-rib system. Orthotropic deck bridges become an economical alternative when the following issues are important: lower mass, ductility, thinner or shallower sections, rapid bridge installation, and cold-weather construction. In the 1960s small orthotropic steel-deck bridges were built in California, Michigan, and for the Poplar Street Bridge as prototypes to examine steel construction systems as well as various wearing surface materials. Box-girder bridges can be subdivided into three basic categories: the single-cell box, the multicell box, and the box with struts supporting a cantilevered deck. An orthotropic steel plate deck must be paved with a wearing surface to provide a durable and skid-resistant surface for vehicular traffic.