In practice, this leads to numerous weld repairs and rigorous inspection requirements that drive up the cost of
orthotropic deck fabrication.
Vejrum, "Analysis of an
orthotropic deck stiffened with a cement-based overlay," Journal of Bridge Engineering, vol.
The old structure was demolished to make way for a 213 metre-long
orthotropic deck bridge with four spans.
These concerns, along with the advanced age of the bridge, prompted DRPA's decision to replace the deck with a structure that was lightweight, entailed low initial construction costs, was less vulnerable to leakage and corrosion, and (unlike an
orthotropic deck) could be fabricated domestically.
As part of the project, Tom Riester, chief structural engineer, needed to replace the bridge's aluminum flooring system and aluminum
orthotropic deck, which were installed in 1933.
Engineers define an
orthotropic deck as one that consists of steel plates supported by ribs underneath, overlain by an integrated wearing (driving) surface.
has developed a new
orthotropic deck system that has great potential as a retrofit option for aging bridges.