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    FRP DOUBLE TEE PANELS FOR RAIL PLATFORMS

    CCG's FiberSpan™ Platforms are the Industry Leading Composite Panels for Mass Transit

    FiberSpan FRP composite Double Tee panels are created from corrosion-resistant polymers reinforced with glass fibers for strength and stiffness. FRP panels provide a prefabricated, corrosion-resistant superstructure that can withstand harsh outdoor conditions, chemical exposure and heavy traffic. In addition to providing exceptional structural reliability and strength, FRP tee panels are fire-resistant, consistent with NFPA 130 and ASTM E-84 Class 1 standards.

    The Double Tee panel offers a lightweight, durable solution for structural projects such as bridge decks, rail platforms and bridge sidewalks needing to carry high loads over long spans. The fast installation of large surface area has made FRP Double Tee the preferred panel for rail platforms.

    Rail-Platform-1-4

    FIBERGLASS DOUBLE TEE RAIL PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION

    A double tee is a load-bearing structural component that looks like two T-beams next to each other. It consists of two vertical legs, also known as stems or webs, and a horizontal piece called the flange along the deck. The flange and webs are integrally molded for an exceptionally reliable structure capable of supporting heavy loads.

    Precast concrete double tees have been used in the construction industry for more than 40 years, due to the stability of the design. FRP double tees are designed using the same model, but with much lighter FRP material that’s easier to mold, transport and install. In fact, FRP double tees are approximately 80% lighter than their precast concrete counterparts, with a weight of 15–22 pounds per square foot (psf) versus concrete's hefty 120-130 psf.

    Since they were developed in 2008, Creative Composite Group’s FRP double tee panels have been used in a broad range of structurally critical applications, including road bridges and pedestrian bridges. As the FRP technology advances, the prefabricated lightweight panels offer great value in rail platform rehabilitation applications and new construction since the panels can be quickly installed around train schedules.

    CHELSEA RAIL PLATFORM CHELSEA, MA-1-RT

    FRP DOUBLE TEE PANEL ADVANTAGES

    Fiber-reinforced plastic offers numerous advantages over traditional infrastructure materials, including:

    • Strong & Lightweight Design — FRP is significantly lighter than concrete and other structural materials while maintaining exceptional load-bearing capabilities and tolerance for heavy traffic
    • Single-Piece Construction — FRP decks and stems are molded in one solid piece, which ensures their structural integrity
    • Fast Installation — The single-piece construction and lightweight characteristics make FRP tee panels easy to install, thereby reducing installation time, labor and effect on platform usage
    • Design Flexibility — FRP double tee stems can be customized to meet specific size requirements, so they can be full length or transition, similar to dapped end beams for traditional concrete double tees. In addition, designs can be modified for easy integration into existing structures and specialized triple tees can be manufactured for applications with depth restrictions
    • Functional Features — In addition to FRP's material advantages, CCG offers a variety of features, including crown or cross-slope surfaces, non-slip polymer overlay, warning tactiles at platform edges, curbs, embedded attachment points, drain scuppers and notch-outs for supplemental structures. Our customizable double tee panels offer tailored design and easy installation for both existing and new structures
    • Superior Span Strength — FRP panels are capable of spanning support piers up to 40 feet apart while retaining structural integrity and load-bearing capabilities
    • Exceptional Durability — FRP material is extremely resistant to corrosion, chemicals and harsh environmental conditions. While concrete can experience significant wear if it’s exposed to deicing chemicals, FRP material can withstand these compounds easily, making it ideal for using on platforms and walkways
    • Cost-Effective Installation & Maintenance — FRP is significantly less expensive to mold, transport and install compared to concrete and other structural materials. Since it’s exceptionally durable and corrosion-resistant, it’s also significantly less expensive to maintain and requires fewer repairs than traditional concrete and steel structural components
    • Fire-Resistance — FRP materials are manufactured to meet NFPA 130 & ASTM E-84 Class 1 standards for fire-resistance

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    • We have found agencies in the areas that must use de-icing chemicals to ensure safety of their passengers to be very receptive. Concrete deterioration is severely shorting the life of the stations to even just 15 years. And the surface spalling creates a tripping hazard. The corrosion resistance of FRP combined with the ease of installation within hectic train schedules is the combination that garners acceptance. Different agencies have different comfort levels, but we find that showing the advantages, limitations and technical details has been the way to convince the agencies.
    • The anchorage of the platform panels to the support piers using bolted clip connections is similar to the clip connection successfully used for 15 years for FRP pedestrian bridge decking. The biggest issue in the past was using neoprene pad as a shim/interface between FRP and steel or concrete in the first few years. Neoprene is not easy to bond in place. Over time some of the neoprene would slide/vibrate out of position. An interface is not needed on steel supports since both the steel and FRP surfaces are relatively smooth. For the FRP Tee panels, we are attaching UHMW PolyEthylene pads to the expansion end of the FRP panel that sits on concrete piers. This provides a low-friction, abrasive-resistive interface.
    • The standard FRP platform panels are combustible when exposed to a fire source. When the source is removed, the FRP is self-extinguishing. The panels have a Class 1 rating per ASTM E-84 for flame spread testing. The flame spread is slow; allowing passengers time to leave the station and meet egress requirements. There are FRP materials that are non-combustible that CA provides for tunnel applications, but the material costs more than the baseline material.
    • The standard panels are for exterior stations only due to the flame spread and smoke generation.
    • Being a relatively new technology, national standards are not yet in place. The requirements are in special provisions. We have a general specification that we can provide in Word format for customization by designers and agencies. We can also provide examples of the specifications from agencies with FRP platforms in use. Key items are having performance-based requirements to avoid a proprietary spec; and having strong manufacturer qualifications to ensure adequate experience.
    • Yes, the grates are FRP. The grates are ADA compliant.
    • We now use stainless steel for the connection clips and the embedded steel inside the FRP panels. In the past, we used galvanized steel clips on the exterior and embedded carbon steel. Since we are selling 100 year life for FRP, it made sense to use stainless. The cost increase is not much.
    • We have sample performance specifications that we provide as a Word document that the Engineer or owner can edit.
    • A small 3/8 inch by ½ inch drip strip is bonded to the bottom of the panel; just back from the edge. When water runs around the edge of the panel, it hits the strip and cannot wick back to the steel support structure.
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