Replacement of reinforced concrete deck of Champlain Bridge, Montreal, by orthotropic steel deck

Abstract

The Champlain Bridge, Montreal, Quebec, has recently undergone replacement of its deteriorated reinforced concrete deck situated over the St. Lawrence Seaway with a new orthotropic steel deck. The new deck consists of 210 prefabricated steel panels which have been installed at the rate of one panel per night. The panels arrived on site with a base course of pavement to allow traffic flow over the new panels without disrupting the rush hour and daytime traffic. As a result of the new deck being 25% lighter in weight, the reserve strength capacity of the steel superstructure to accommodate live loads has increased sufficiently to bring the bridge within the governing live load requirements of the CAN/CSA Standard S6-1988 "Design of highway bridges." The governing design live loads on bridges have increased by about 50% since the original construction of the bridge over 30 years ago and reflect the larger vehicle weights permitted over Canadian roadways. Key words: alternative deck systems, cantilevered steel superstructure, closed rib stiffeners, counterweights, diaphragms, field erection, orthotropic plate deck, prefabrication, reinforced concrete, welding.