COMPOSITE BRIDGE
The October 1997 recipient of the Award for Composites Excellence in Market Viability Superdeck(TM), continues to demonstrate successful solutions to infrastructure problems. Manufac-tured by Creative Pultrusions, Inc., the Superdeck(TM) is a non-corrosive, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material. The product's second installation is at the Wickwire Run Bridge and is the most commercially-viable application of its type to date. Open to vehicular traffic in September, 1997, the new bridge located off US Route 19     in Taylor County, West Virginia, was placed on four longitudinal galvanized steel beams, spaced six feet apart (1.83m). The bridge size is 30 feet (9.14m) long by 21.7 feet (6.60m) wide. Shipped to the bridge construction site in only four panels, Pliogrip(TM) polyurethane adhesive supplied by Ashland Chemicals was applied to assure good bond with the fiber reinforced polymer panels. Using engineered 5 inch (13mm) blind fasteners from Huck International, Inc., in conjunction with the Pliogrip(TM) adhesive, the deck modules were connected to the supporting steel beams. The construction of the Wickwire Run Bridge was sponsored through the Priority Technologies Program.

For more information, contact Kimberly Miller, Director of Marketing, Creative Pultrusions, Inc., Pleasantville Industrial Park, P. O. Box 6, Alum Bank, PA 15521, 814-839-4186.