Commentary on Orthotropic-Deck Bridge Specification

A commentary is presented to support specification provisions for the design and construction of steel orthotropic-deck bridges that were recently (1973) adopted by the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. The new provisions pertain primarily to the deck, but include some requirements for all-steel box girders, which are frequently used in orthotropic-deck bridges. The following new articles pertaining specifically to orthotropic-deck bridges are included in the Design Division of the specifications: (1) orthotropic-deck bridges, general; (2) wheel-load contact area; (3) effective width of deck plate; (4) allowable stresses; (5) thickness of plate elements; (6) maximum slenderness of longitudinal ribs; (7) diaphragms; (8) stiffness requirements; (9) wearing surface; and (10) closed ribs. The following new articles pertaining specifically to orthotropic-deck bridges are included in the Construction Division: (1) protection of deck plate after sand blasting; (2) dimensional tolerances; and (3) wearing surfaces.