FRP Wind Fairings Help New Bridge Structure Withstand The Elements While Shepherding Vehicles And Trains Across Its Expanse
Sarah Mildred Long Bridge was demolished in 2016 after mechanical and maintenance problems red-listed the 80-year-old span. The structure served as a vital link between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine; regions separated by the Piscataqua River. What emerged was unique in several ways. The new bridge design included vertical clearance for larger ships and a steel box lift span capable of carrying vehicle and railroad traffic above the steel superstructure. The bridge became the first of its kind in the U.S. with four precast 200 ft. tall concrete towers that support a 300 ft. long structural steel box girder lift span. To stabilize the bridge during severe weather and deflect high winds, engineers needed a lightweight solution. FRP composites fit the bill. Cianbro Corp., the project’s contractor, selected Composite Advantage to design and fabricate two sets fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) wind fairings. Each was engineered to house an internal walkway to accommodate inspection and maintenance activities.
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THE INDUSTRY'S NEWEST CROP OF ENGINEERS
Composite Advantage gave a special nod to this year’s graduates. Composite Advantage invests in the industry’s future FRP infrastructure designers and builders by supporting student research projects. Composite Advantage also brings its presentations to universities’ civil engineering seminars. This year’s crop of graduates carries personal ties for Composite Advantage. President Scott Reeve welcomes his daughter, Emily, to the field. READ MORE >>>
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LET FRP DO THE HEAVY LIFTING
Fabricating large parts using FRP composites is a specialty for Composite Advantage. In 2017, Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Florida received its first set of FRP composite camels for an incoming aircraft carrier. Check out our new infographic that shows the journey from plant to
VISIT US AT THE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE CONFERENCE
Visit us at the International Bridge Conference to be held June 11 – 14, 2018 Washington, D.C. The American Composite Manufacturers Association (ACMA) will be at Booth #403. Scott Reeve, president of Composite Advantage, will participate in the workshop with a presentation about the design/build of FRP wind fairings on the recently opened Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. See www.eswp.com/bridge for more information.