​SPARE Successfully Completed Massachusetts Steel Bridge Deck Renovation Project FRP Hollow Web Technology Leads Industry Innovation

With innovative technology and professional strength, SPARE successfully completed the steel bridge deck reconstruction project in Massachusetts, U.S.A. The project not only became a benchmark project for upgrading the local transport infrastructure, but also demonstrated the leading level of Chinese enterprises in the field of composite bridge applications, and became one of the classic masterpieces of SPARE.

It is understood that the Massachusetts steel bridge previously due to the aging of the bridge deck load-bearing structure, the weight is too large and other issues, faced with low traffic efficiency, high maintenance costs, etc. SPARE in the planning stage of the project, the innovative choice of FRP hollow-bellied version of the bridge deck plate as the core load-bearing material, from the root of the crack of the traditional steel bridge renovation of the pain points, FRP hollow-bellied version of the bridge deck plate has significant lightweight characteristics, compared with the traditional concrete deck plate, the weight is greatly reduced, effectively reducing the bridge weight. Compared with the traditional concrete bridge deck, the weight of FRP hollow web version is significantly reduced, which effectively reduces the overall weight of the bridge, reduces the load on the original bridge bearings and substructure, and greatly improves the overall load-bearing safety and stability of the bridge.

In the construction process, the assembly and installation advantages of FRP hollow web version are obvious. Relying on the standardised production process and modular design, the material can be quickly assembled on site, which significantly shortens the construction period. The project team completed the overall reconstruction and commissioning of the bridge deck in a relatively short period of time. Compared with the traditional reconstruction plan, the opening time of the bridge was advanced by nearly 40%, which minimised the impact of the construction on the local traffic and gained the high recognition of the local traffic department and the public.

    What is more noteworthy is that the maintenance-free characteristics and long service life of the FRP hollow-bellied version provide a guarantee for the long-term operation of the bridge. The material has excellent anti-corrosion and anti-aging properties, without the need for frequent anti-corrosion treatment and structural maintenance like traditional bridge decks, which not only saves a lot of maintenance costs for the local community every year, but also has a service life far exceeding that of traditional materials, which provides a strong support for the sustainable development of transport infrastructure in the long run.

 As an enterprise focusing on the development and application of composite materials, SPARE has always been committed to providing efficient and environmentally friendly engineering solutions for global customers. In addition to the FRP hollow-belly version applied in this project, the company also supports customised services for various GFRP and FRP products, and can provide full-process services from product design, production to installation guidance according to the needs of different engineering scenarios, which will help more infrastructure projects to achieve performance upgrading and cost optimisation, and promote the wide application of composite materials in the fields of transportation, construction and other areas.