Abstract
Fiber reinforced polymer composite deck panels are effectively used in the construction of offshore structures such as pontoons, floating docks, oil drilling platforms, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems and harbor structures due to their excellent corrosion and fatigue resistance, high strength to weight ratio and stiffness to weight ratio and less maintenance cost. The main objective of this investigation is to study the load–deflection behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite deck panels under static loading. Three prototype GFRP composite deck panels each with a size of 3000 mm×1000 mm×300 mm were fabricated using hand lay-up process and tested under a factored load of AASHTO HS20/IRC Class A wheeled vehicle. The deck panels were analyzed using the standard FE software, ANSYS. Maximum deflection and strain at factored load, and flexural and shear rigidities were calculated in the FE analysis and compared with the experimental data, and also with the specifications given by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), USA. From this study, it is concluded that the fabricated GFRP deck panels satisfied the performance criteria specified by ODOT and can be used in berthing structures, bridges in coastal regions, offshore oil platforms, OTEC systems and also in seismic prone areas.
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