Orthotropic Steel Decks

Almost every country has selected orthotropic steel deck superstructures when minimizing the total superstructure dead weight or when thin structural depth is necessary. Due to their very low dead-loads, orthotropic decks are widely utilized (Table 16.1) in the following types of bridge structures: • Long-span superstructures (world record span types that include suspension, cable-stayed, truss, arch, oating, and movable spans have orthotropic steel deck systems). e world’s longest span is steel and has an orthotropic steel deck as shown in Figure 16.2.