Fiberglass Grating for Small Bridge Decks
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) grating undoubtedly rates as the premier material for pedestrian and bike bridge decking compared with more traditional materials like softwood, hardwood and steel. FRP grating offers outstanding durability, safety, and longevity, especially where slip resistance, low maintenance and long lifespan are critical selection criteria.
Our ‘SpanTrak’ FRP grating panels are manufactured with a specific combination of fibers, resins, fillers and additives to maximize longevity, durability, strength, fire resistance and UV degradation. For maximum durability in exterior conditions, we only supply grating manufactured with pure isophthalic resins, aluminum hydroxide filler and UV-9 UV protection additives. A gritted surface finish is supplied as standard to ensure exceptional slip resistance in all conditions – wet, icy or dry.
For bridge decking or resurfacing, we typically supply our ‘SpanTrak MidiMesh’ grating which features a gritted anti-slip finish, a dark grey color, but other sizes and colors can be supplied on request.
Key Benefits of Archatrak FRP Grating for Bridge Decking
- No rotting, twisting, warping, splintering, splitting
- No loose, dangerous nails or screws
- No rusting or corrosion
- Excellent slip resistance in wet or dry conditions
- Withstands severe marine environments
- Highly resistant to moss and mildew growth
- Practically zero maintenance
- Open mesh allows light to reach vegetation below
- No leaching of preservative chemicals
- Class A fire resistant ASTM E84
- Lightweight and easily cut in field
- Can be colored to blend unobtrusively into the landscape
‘MidiMesh’ grating with 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ spacing between load bars and a secondary load bar ½” deep between the primary load bars giving a grid aperture size of 1/2″ x 1/2″, is typically specified for bridge decking. This specification provides very good foot coverage, safety for high heel shoe traffic and a smooth rolling surface for wheelchairs, carts, bicycles, scooters etc.
Typically 1 1/4″ thick gratings are used for bridge decking where bearers do not exceed 24″ on center.
A grit surface is normally specified for bridge decking since this provides excellent slip resistance even in wet weather.
For bridge decking, Archatrak only supplies gratings manufactured with pure isophthalic resins and not lower cost polyester resins which do not offer sufficient long-term durability in harsh exterior conditions.
All our grating panels use aluminum hydroxide filler (not calcium carbonate) for maximum fire resistance (flame retardant and smoke suppression) and contain UV stabilizers.
Archatrak ‘MidiMesh’
Thickness: 1 1/4″
Primary load bars: 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ on center
Secondary load bars: single bar between primary bars – 1/2″ deep
Mesh aperture: 1/2″ x 1/2″
Surface: anti-slip grit embedded in resin
Weight: 3.7 lb/sq.ft.
Fiberglass grating panels are normally fixed to support bearers with max. span of 48″ (depending on the thickness of the fiberglass panel and anticipated loadings) using stainless steel ‘M’ clips inserted in the grating apertures, with a minimum of four clips per panel. ‘L’ clips are generally not recommended as they don’t have the same strength as ‘M’ clips.
Where necessary, adjacent panels can be joined at the edges by means of stainless steel ‘C’ clips.
Where a change in direction is required on a bridge deck, panels can be cut at an angle, taking care to ensure adjacent panels are cut at the same angle so the load bars match up when panels are joined.
