Research into using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) for bridge deck applications began in the early 1990s as aerospace companies looked for alternative uses for their advanced products. By the mid-1990s, FRP was gaining acceptance from the bridge community as it was applied to small, low-volume deck demonstration projects. Since that time, FRP decks have been used on increasingly significant projects throughout the United States. Designers have become more familiar with the characteristics that FRP offers and have begun to apply FRP to projects that would most benefit--cases where low weight, corrosion resistance, or rapid installation is critical. FRP decks are often suitable for historic, movable, or high-traffic bridges. One excellent example of an FRP deck application is the Broadway Bridge in downtown Portland, Oregon. This project demanded a new deck that matched the weight of the bridge's existing steel grating, offered improved skid resistance, and could be installed rapidly.
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