Axion International announces publication of a Standard Design Guide for Thermoplastic Bridges by Parsons-Brinckerhoff

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J. – Axion International Holdings, Inc., a leader in recycled plastic and plastic composite technologies used to produce ECOTRAX rail ties and STRUXURE building products, today announced that the international engineering and construction firm, Parsons Brinckerhoff, has completed a Standard Design Guide of Thermoplastic Bridges for three short-span heavy-load bridge applications using Axion’s Recycled Structural Composite (RSC) products. The guide is intended to help engineers and developers understand the structural details and capabilities of Axion’s RSC as they enter into the design phase of short-span bridges using Axion’s STRUXURE construction systems as alternatives to legacy materials.

The guide is available on the Axion website for registered engineers and designers at www.axih.com to use when they’re initiating projects. Axion’s products have thus far proven successful for bridge applications ranging from light pedestrian traffic to 120+ ton railroad locomotives. Most recently Axion’s RSC was used in the construction of an automotive bridge crossing the York River outside of York, Maine which was opened for traffic in January 2012. A photo of that bridge appears here: https://axion.box.com/s/zvoo33fa3asemhdikp0n.

“We’re very proud to provide the bridge building industry with such a concise document showcasing Axion’s STRUXURE construction systems focusing on the short-span vehicular bridge market,” stated Axion Executive Vice President, Dave Crane. “This guide is intended to provide the necessary engineering and design features so users can begin planning their projects. The technical document provides guidance based on AASHTO Standard Specifications with an HL93 Live Load that must be modified to meet local construction codes and site requirements. Elements of the guides include pre-engineered abutment detail, engineering required for bridge decking, an overlay system for the road surface, and information on guardrail specifications. The bridge super structure can be pre-fabricated and shipped for assembly on-site to accelerate bridge construction. Axion has pre-fabrication capability at our facilities today, and we’re currently establishing a nationwide network of distribution partners who service the bridge building industry.”

Axion and Parsons Brinckerhoff created the Standard Design Guide for Thermoplastic Bridges specifically to provide information on the strength and durability for three lengths of single-span heavy-load structures measuring from 10’-15’, 16’-20’ and 21’-25’ in length. According to the Federal Highway Administration, there are almost 80,000 bridges of those lengths considered “functionally obsolete”, and more than 70,000 that are “structurally deficient.”

“Parsons Brinckerhoff believes that with the standard design of highway bridges using recycled plastic, Axion can be successful in marketing short span bridges to the community at large in the U.S. as well as overseas,” stated Vijay Chandra, senior vice president at Parsons Brinckerhoff. “We look forward to working with Axion in developing many more state-of-the-art products to enhance the sustainable qualities and the utilization of green products to improve infrastructure in the U.S. and overseas.”

Axion’s STRUXURE building materials were created as a sustainable alternative to legacy building materials like wood, steel and concrete. STRUXURE Construction Systems provide excellent structural performance, offer lower life-cycle costs (including competitive first time installation costs and far less maintenance costs) and tangible superiority in terms of sustainability. STRUXURE is a more durable, longer lasting, environmentally sound and lighter heavy-load building material and it is fully recyclable at the end of its life cycle. Construction costs can be lowered and maintenance costs can be virtually eliminated. Components can be pre-fabricated by Axion and shipped to installation sites for quick application.

For more information please visit the STRUXURE brochure online at: https://axion.box.com/s/x4cz9h7fmegq0f57s8h5.