Steel Bridge Fabrication - The Key to Safe, Long-Lasting and Efficient Highway and Rail Bridges

Steel Bridge Fabrication - The Key to Safe, Long-Lasting and Efficient Highway and Rail Bridges

Steel bridge fabrication is an important part of the construction of safe, long-lasting and efficient highway and rail crossings.steel bridge fabrication Whether it is a short-span bridge, such as an approach span or a girder bridge, a multi-span structure such as a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed bridge, or a combination bridge with both rail and road traffic, structural steel bridge components are capable of meeting all load requirements. In addition, due to the flexibility of the material and its ability to adapt to future changes in live loadings, roadway widenings, and other modifications, bridge engineers are able to choose from a variety of structural solutions for the bridges.

The key to steel bridge construction is in the design.steel bridge fabrication Bridge engineers need to select the most appropriate bridge type based on traffic demands and the bridge’s overall purpose. Once the bridge type has been selected, the design engineer will use a computer program to develop the structural design. This program includes a variety of calculations for the bridge’s load-carrying capacity and performance, including:

After the design has been completed, the bridge engineer will provide the project owner with a set of plans that are used to order the steel elements needed for the bridge construction.steel bridge fabrication The structural steel bridge components are fabricated off-site, usually in a controlled factory environment. This allows the bridge to be erected quickly once it is ready for site assembly.

Unlike concrete bridges that require lengthy pouring processes, the erection of a steel bridge is often accomplished within a single day. This efficiency results in significant cost savings for the construction of a bridge, particularly a short-span bridge.

With the advent of eSPAN140, an online short-span steel bridge design tool, steel bridge construction has become even more efficient. Developed by the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance with the support of the steel industry, eSPAN140 provides engineers with a quick and easy way to select standard bridge beams for a design. The resulting design plan includes slab thickness, girder spacing, bearing elevations and stiffener positions. These parameters can be passed to the fabricator to allow them to quickly turn around a conceptual design of a bridge that will meet the project requirements.

As with all bridges, the safety and longevity of steel bridges relies on its resiliency to environmental and seismic forces. However, with proper maintenance and the latest advancements in steel materials, coatings and fabrication techniques, bridges built of steel are becoming more resilient than ever before.

Unlike bridges made from other materials, the main load-carrying components of a steel bridge are easily accessible to inspection personnel for efficient in-service assessment. This is especially beneficial if bridge inspectors need to evaluate the structural condition of the bridge for signs of deterioration. Moreover, these inspections are much less time-consuming than other bridge inspection methods and do not require the purchase and use of costly specialized equipment or non-destructive testing techniques. With the right selection of fabrication and erection services, steel bridges are an economical solution to meet the transportation needs of our growing population.

Tags:prefabricated steel building | retail steel building | steel aircrafe hanger | steel barn building