PROJECT

Redwood National Park FRP Bridges

Project Overview

For this unique project Areté Structures got to work closely with the client to design this FRP underslung truss pedestrian bridge.  The project required a two-span FRP bridge to replace the old Bond Creek Bridge in the Red Wood National Park in Orick, California. These new FRP bridges replaced two failing timber bridges that were demolished and removed from the site. Because of this, Areté had to design the bridges to fit perfectly on the existing concrete abutments and pier. The new underslung truss design allowed for a hand railing to be installed above the top chord to protect the bridge from potentially dangerous falling trees. Areté fabricated the decking using our in-house epoxy process to create a medium grit, non-slip surface. The bridges were built and assembled in-house in order to pre camber, then disassembled, bundled and sent off to Redwood National Park in December of 2018. 

 

Design

Design Criteria

FRP BRIDGE DESIGN

 

  • (1) 63’ X 4’ Deck Truss Bridge

  • (1) 23’ X 4’ Bridge FRP Stringer Bridge  

  • Strongwell EXTREN® 500 Series Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Structural Shape. 

  • Olive Green Color

  • Galvanized Hardware for Structural Members

  • 12-inch Safplank Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Interlocking Decking System with epoxy-based medium grit

  • 85 PSF Pedestrian Live Load OR AASHTO Standard H-5 Truck

  • AASHTO Guide Specifications for FRP pedestrian bridges

  • Strongwell Design Manual

  • Drawings provided and sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the state of California