H&H Lead Bridge Engineer, George Patton, PE, received word that his research and development work with the Florida Department of Transportation and AlumaBridge has been granted US Patent No. 9,863,103 for Modular Bridge Deck System Consisting of Hollow Extruded Aluminum Elements. The new deck system is a replacement option for five-inch steel open grid deck on long-span and movable bridges.  H&H Engineer, Rafal Wuttrich, PE, performed the detailed finite element analysis of the deck system.

Benefits include:

• Low Unit Weight Similar to Steel Open Grid
• Solid Surface Better Protects Steel Framing
• High Skid Resistance with Thin Epoxy Polymer Friction Course
• Infinite Fatigue Life (AASHTO LRFD)
• Twice the Stiffness of Steel Open Grid
• Details Permit Rapid Replacement
• Corrosion Resistant Aluminum Alloy
• Reduces Traffic Noise
• Bicycle-Friendly Surface

This deck system will be installed later this year on several bridges, including a 320-foot long suspension bridge over the Green River in northeastern Colorado (entire bridge), North Causeway Bridge in Ft. Pierce, Florida (prototype panels) and Marine Parkway Bridge in Brooklyn, New York (prototype panels).

George Patton, a Principal Associate with H&H, is a recognized Movable Bridge and Lightweight Deck Specialist with 29 years of experience in new and major rehabilitation bridge design, construction engineering, peer review, and inspection. He has led the engineering effort on more than 50 movable bridge projects throughout the United States.