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FiberCore Europe’s (Rotterdam, Netherlands) Norwegian partner, (Sola), together with  (Oslo, Norway), is to design, deliver and install four sustainable glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) solutions for bridge maintenance to Vestland County Municipality in Norway.

Two concepts will be designed, one of which, SUREbridge, reinforces the existing concrete deck with a thin composite deck on two bridges (see “Refurbishing bridges at half the time, cost versus replacement”). The second concept replaces the existing bridge deck in concrete with a composite deck on two steel girder bridges. 

Both solutions aim to provide increased safety, longer service life, shorter installation time, lower maintenance costs and increased reuse of existing bridges versus conventional concrete pavers, which, as the result of chloride penetration and frost damage, can lead to reinforcement corrosion and concrete damage and thus more maintenance. The project is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by keeping existing bridges “alive longer,” rather than replacing them with new ones. 

For example, the new composite decks will strengthen the bridges so that both the superstructure can be secured against water and salt, and that a new asphalt wear layer can be added. In addition, it will be possible to attach approved bridge railings, leading to improved traffic safety.

The project is supported by Innovation Norway and will ensure that the new concepts are designed based on Norwegian regulations and handbooks, and that they receive full-scale testing under Norwegian climatic conditions.