Bridge Deck Grating and Deck Grating Systems
Bridge decking has to do two jobs at once: carry a moving wheel load without fatigue, and stay walkable in rain, salt spray and freeze-thaw cycles. Grating decks are used on small road bridges, pedestrian bridges, pier decks and cycle crossings because they are light, drain freely and can be lifted out for inspection of the structure below.
Panel construction for vehicle loads
Deck grating for vehicles is built from a deeper bearing bar - typically 60x5, 75x6 or 100x6 - with heavy cross bars at 50 or 100 mm pitch, and is often supplied as a stiffened assembly with edge plates welded on. Panels are bolted through the cross bars into the bridge stringers, with the bolts in oversized holes to allow thermal movement.
Pedestrian and cycle bridges can use 30x5 or 40x5 galvanized panels with serrated tops; the surface is the same as a walkway but the fixing pattern must resist uplift and vibration.
Steel, galvanized or FRP for bridge decks
Hot dip galvanized steel is the default for road bridges, with a coating thick enough to survive de-icing salt. FRP deck grating is used on pedestrian bridges where weight reduction matters, or where the deck sits over a sensitive watercourse and corrosion products are unacceptable. Aluminum is chosen for footbridges where the deck must be lifted by hand.
Typical specifications
| Deck type | Bearing bar | Panel size | Design load | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian bridge | 30x5 | 1000x2000 mm | 5 kN/m2 | Serrated, galvanized |
| Cycle bridge | 40x5 | 1000x3000 mm | 5 kN/m2 | Serrated, galvanized |
| Road bridge (light) | 60x5 | 1000x2000 mm | Class 30/30 | Serrated, galvanized |
| Road bridge (heavy) | 75x6 / 100x6 | Made to order | Class 40/44 | Serrated, HDG 85um |
Related products and applications
Frequently asked questions
Is grating suitable for a road bridge deck?
Yes, for spans and load classes where the panels are supported on closely spaced stringers. Grating decks are common on small road bridges, culverts and industrial crossings; large-span highway bridges normally use concrete or orthotropic steel decks.
How is bridge deck grating fixed?
Bolted through the cross bars into stringers, with cleats at the panel edges. Bolts are usually stainless or sherardized, and holes are slotted to accommodate thermal expansion.
Can deck grating be walked on in ice?
Serrated bearing bars give a grip comparable to a chequered plate. In persistent icing conditions an abrasive nosing strip or a heated deck is used instead.
Not sure which profile suits your site? Send the span, load and environment to our engineers and we will return a specification with drawings within one working day. Contact us or see the full product range.