Fibre composite bridges

Australia's first fibre composite bridge

Numerous large-scale demonstration projects around the world have shown that composites are viable structural materials for bridge applications. Advantages of these new materials over traditional bridge materials include low weight and high strength, greatly improved corrosion resistance and durability, ease of transportation and installation and lower energy consumption during manufacture. Furthermore, replacement of heavier concrete and timber decks by lighter composite decks allows for an increase in traffic loads, without an overall increase of load on the supporting structure. However, the major disadvantage of these new developments to date has been their high cost in comparison with steel, concrete and timber.
 
Australia's first Fibre Composite bridge, was developed by FCDD (previous name of the CEEFC) in close collaboration with industry partners.

Project partners

Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies
Department of Transport and Main Roads, QLD
Connell Wagner
Roads and Traffic Authority NSW

CEEFC Project coordinator

Prof Gerard Van Erp