GRIDFORM™ Stay-In-Place FRP Bridge Deck System is a fiberglass structure which reinforces concrete on bridges. Consisting of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) double-layer grating, the system reinforces concrete with an integral stay-in-place (SIP) form for vehicular bridge decks.

System Design and Components

Consisting of two layers of pultruded FRP I-bar grating separated by FRP connectors with nylon bolts, the system provides strengthening and longevity to the bridge many times longer than a steel reinforcing system would provide. FRP grating consists of pultruded I-bars on 4” centers and cross rods on 4” spacings. A 1/8” pultruded FRP plate is bonded to the bottom grating layer to create a stay-in-place concrete form.

The design of the system creates a bidirectional, lightweight panel ideal for the grid construction of corrosion-free concrete bridge decks.

The lightweight GRIDFORM™ panel, which weighs only 4.7 pounds per square foot, is shop-fabricated in very large units that are limited only by shipping constraints to approximately 50 ft. by 80 ft.

Easy Installation

When the GRIDFORM™ arrives on site, it is lifted with a single pick of a crane and placed directly in the bridge girders. The fiberglass panel is pre-engineered to enable rapid attachment to the bridge girders and subsequent concrete placement and forming.

The anticipated lifespan of a GRIDFORM™ bridge deck is several times that of steel reinforced concrete bridge decks since FRP provides a corrosion-free reinforcement system for the concrete.

SAFSTRIP® Pultruded Composite Reinforcing Strips. An easy solution for improving the strength of an existing structural piece, simply fasten these fiberglass reinforcing strips to a structure with simple carpenter's tools.

The FRP reinforcing strip has high bearing and longitudinal properties and is designed to strengthen the flexural capacity on the tension face of concrete girders, slabs and decks. Installation on bridges can occur without any interruption of service.

Features of SAFSTRIP®

• Structure is usable immediately after installation
• Easy to install, no skilled labor necessary
• Cost effective system for increasing load capacity of bridges
• Minimal surface preparation is needed for installation
• Will not split or delaminate when drilled

Materials of Construction

Composed of carbon tows in-between layers of fiberglass mats and rovings, the materials are bonded together by a highly corrosion resistant vinyl ester resin. Carbon fibers increase the stiffness of the strip while glass mat provides the proper bearing strength. These combined properties allow SAFSTRIP® to be mechanically attached to a structural member safely and without cracking. A synthetic surfacing veil is also incorporated into the composite to improve resistance to corrosion and UV degradation.