Life-Cycle Costs of Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer Bridge Decks.
Life-Cycle Costs of Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer Bridge
Decks.
(895 K)
Ehlen, M. A.
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, Vol. 11, No.
3, 224-230, August 1999.
Keywords:
bridges (structures); composite materials; construction
materials; cost benefit analysis
Abstract:
Fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) composites are currently
being developed and used in bridge decks. This report
examines the life-cycle cost-effectiveness of three FRP
bridge decks, using a life-cycle cost method
specifically tailored for comparing new materials with
conventional ones. The method includes a cost
classification scheme for capturing all project-related
costs and for comparing the cost advantages and
disadvantages of different materials. The uncertainty
of new-material costs is assessed using the Monte Carlo
simulations. Analysis indicates that one of the FRP
decks is life-cycle cost-effective for a particular
class of bridges and traffic levels.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899