Researchers Study New Bridge Beam Design to Cut Maintenance Costs
Posted: Jul 8, 2024
A new bridge beam design performed well in tests conducted by researchers at Colorado State University. The analysis they used can be applied to design and assess other similar bridge beam designs. The use of rolled beams (beams fabricated by rolling steel through a series of dies to create the desired shape) in medium- to long-span bridges can be very beneficial because they require much less maintenance in comparison with plate girders (girders fabricated by welding plates together to create the desired shape). However, rolled beams are limited in size, which constrains their use to relatively short-span bridges due to deflection requirements. The researchers investigated the behavior of the double composite superstructure system. The system utilizes rolled beams in combination with a reinforced concrete slab, resting on the bottom flanges of the beams, to allow for longer spans to be built using rolled beams. The implementation of the double composite steel bridge system using rolled beams can save substantial inspection and maintenance costs typically associated with plate girder bridges.
A new bridge beam design performed well in tests conducted by researchers at Colorado State University. The analysis they used can be applied to design and assess other similar bridge beam designs. The use of rolled beams (beams fabricated by rolling steel through a series of dies to create the desired shape) in medium- to long-span bridges can be very beneficial because they require much less maintenance in comparison with plate girders (girders fabricated by welding plates together to create the desired shape). However, rolled beams are limited in size, which constrains their use to relatively short-span bridges due to deflection requirements. The researchers investigated the behavior of the double composite superstructure system. The system utilizes rolled beams in combination with a reinforced concrete slab, resting on the bottom flanges of the beams, to allow for longer spans to be built using rolled beams. The implementation of the double composite steel bridge system using rolled beams can save substantial inspection and maintenance costs typically associated with plate girder bridges.