Improvement of fatigue properties of orthotropic decks

Orthotropic decks are progressive structural elements which often occur in civil, mechanical, ship, air and space engineering. Besides the advantages like low weight, great stiffness, and low structural height, they suffer from dynamic forces causing fatigue cracks. Therefore, it was tried to improve their fatigue properties and, thus, to prolong their life. The proof of gluing the carbon fibre reinforcement composites (CFRC) in the critical details of the deck seems to be encouraging. The new types of the CFRC and glue give an other chance in the future.