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News Release 06-040
Easy Up, Not-So-Easy Down
Builders replace bridge in only days using lightweight, corrosion-resistant composites
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![Fiberglass-polymer composites form the core of a renovated bridge deck in Springfield, Mo.](/news/mmg/media/images/panel_perspective_view2_f.jpg)
Fiberglass-polymer composites form the core of a renovated bridge deck in Springfield, Mo. University of Missouri at Rolla researchers at NSF's Buildings and Bridges with Composites Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (RB2C I/UCRC) worked with their industry partners and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin at Madison to develop the pre-fabricated, composite plates and cages.
Credit: Fabio Matta, UMR
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![A small crane can lift and position the enormous fiberglass-polymer composite plates](/news/mmg/media/images/panel_placement2_f.jpg)
Because of the lightweight nature of the fiberglass-polymer composites, a small crane can lift and position the enormous plates that now underly the concrete surface of the Springfield, Mo., bridge deck.
Credit: Fabio Matta, UMR
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![The new composites were critical for both the bridge deck renovation and the guardrail replacement](/news/mmg/media/images/plates_and_bars2_f.jpg)
The new composites were critical for both the bridge deck renovation (yellow plates) and the guardrail replacement (white cages).
Credit: Fabio Matta, UMR
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![Workers covered the composites with concrete in the final steps of the bridge renovation](/news/mmg/media/images/casting_concrete2_f.jpg)
Workers covered the composites with concrete in the final steps of the bridge renovation.
Credit: Fabio Matta, UMR
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![Before renovation, the guardrails on this Springfield, Mo., bridge were in dire need of repair](/news/mmg/media/images/Old_Bridge_14802301_safety_appurtenance2_f.jpg)
Before renovation, the guardrails on this Springfield, Mo., bridge were in dire need of repair.
Credit: Fabio Matta, UMR
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![Before renovation, the underside of this Springfield, Mo., bridge deck was cracked and decaying](/news/mmg/media/images/Old_Bridge_14802301_deck2_f1.jpg)
Before renovation, the underside of this Springfield, Mo., bridge deck was cracked and decaying.
Credit: Fabio Matta, UMR
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