Life-Cycle Costs of Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer Bridge Decks
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 3
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.
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References
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Received: May 27, 1998
Published online: Aug 1, 1999
Published in print: Aug 1999
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