California to host conference on orthotropic bridges

Public Roads, March-April, 2004

Recent structural improvements and increasing fatigue strengths have assured engineers that orthotropic (solid steel plate) bridge decks can be expected to have long service lives. As a result, State highway agencies now are using orthotropic decks for major projects.

To educate the engineering community on new developments in orthotropic bridges, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), USDOT, and eight other sponsors are compiling a 7-day technical program encompassing classes, a conference, and tours of orthotropic bridges in northern California.

Scheduled for August 23-29, 2004, the conference will draw delegates from Asia, Europe, the United States, and elsewhere. Papers will cover a variety of topics, including design, construction, fabrication, wearing surfaces, maintenance, research, and materials. Tours will visit nine orthotropic bridges in the San Francisco area.

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Event organizers invite members of the engineering community to volunteer as chairpersons or members of planning-related committees to help with organization, financial components, technical aspects, publicity, and tours.

For more information, contact Al Mangus with ASCE, Sacramento Section at 916-961-2723, asce@asce-sacto.org or visit www.orthotropic-bridge.org.