PURPOSES: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate to the practicing engineers, how to apply the advanced composite materials theory to the road structures. For general construction material used, there is certain theoretical limit in sizes. For super road structure construction, the reduction in panel weight is the first step to take in order to break such size limits. METHODS: For a typical road structures panel, both concrete and advanced composite sandwich panels are considered. The concrete panel is treated as a special orthotropic plate. RESULTS: All types of advanced composite sandwich panels are considered as a self-weights less than one tenth of that of concrete panel. The concrete panel is treated as a special orthotropic plate to obtain more accurate result. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced composite sandwich panels are considered as a self-weights less than one tenth (10%) of that of concrete panel, with deflections less than that of the concrete panel. This conclusion gives good guide line for design of the light weight of road structures.

• 한봉구(서울과학기술대학교 교수) | Han, Bong Koo 교신저자