Media Kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Busting Short Span Steel Myths & Misperceptions
Q: How does the maintenance of a steel bridge compare to a bridge of concrete?
A: All materials require maintenance to minimize structural deterioration. Concrete, like steel, is particularly susceptible to chloride contamination by de-icing salts, saline water and seawater, thermal effects such as regular freezing/thawing conditions, and sulphate attack.
Q: Do concrete bridges last longer than steel bridges?
A: There is no evidence to suggest this is true. There are many steel bridges with over 100 years of service life that are still performing adequately.
Q: Is weathering steel a viable alternative for under less than ideal climatic conditions?
A: In a word yes. Weathering steel performs successfully when designed and detailed according to the published FHWA and Industry guidelines for its use. When used properly, uncoated weathering steel is by far the most cost-effective material for bridges when considering either first or long-term costs. The FHWA has developed guidelines from 1989 (Technical Advisory – Uncoated Weather Steel Structures) that are still valid, though currently under review and will be supplemented with more data.
Q: What’s the real cost of galvanizing plate-girders and rolled-beam bridges?
A: First keep in mind that hot-dip galvanized steel is durable and maintenance free for 50-60 years or longer, so lifecycle costs are extremely compelling compared to alternatives. Due to the relatively stable price of zinc metal over the past 20 years, considering the initial cost of hot-dip galvanized plate girder and rolled beam steel for bridges is very competitive with the life cycle cost of painted steel.
Q: Are modular prefabricated short-span steel bridges available in custom sizes?
A: Yes, these bridges are custom engineered to meet specific requirements. They are fabricated and constructed in accordance with the engineer’s specifications in modular units offsite and then assembled in the field to and increasing speed of construction.
Q: Is painting and repainting steel bridges an issue?
A: No. Modern EPA-compliant, high-performance coatings can provide a minimum service life of 25 years to first paint maintenance. Constructing a new steel bridge today offers benefits from a number of environmentally friendly coatings with greatly extended service life.
Q: Do all steel bridges require joints?
A: The development of advanced analysis tools and fast computers has given designers the tools necessary to design complex continuous-span bridges without joints. The joints are integral to the substructure. Many states have a long history of jointless bridges. The State of Tennessee for instance designs mostly jointless bridges, using expansion joints only when absolutely necessary.
Q: Are steel bridges suitable for use with accelerated bridge or modular construction techniques?
A: Absolutely. Short-span modular bridges can be handled with smaller construction equipment. These segments are highly modular. In fact, pre-fabricated steel bridges in 2-to-4 sections/modules, depending on the width of the bridge, are assembled units that can be installed in the field and driven over in a matter of days
