Short Span Steel Bridges 
Zinc Coating Life Predictor
The Zinc Coating Life Predictor (ZCLP) accurately calculates atmospheric corrosion rates of zinc coatings using a worldwide corrosion database and input of five environmental parameters: average annual rainfall, air salinity, sulfur dioxide, relative humidity, temperature, and sheltering condition.
Additional Details:
The Zinc Coating Life Predictor computer program was developed to predict the life (and corrosion rate) of the zinc coating on galvanized steel in various atmospheric environments. The program requires numerical data inputs for six weather and air-pollution parameters. The software then calculates and reports on corrosion rates and coating life as outputs. The corrosion prediction calculations are based on models that were developed using statistical methods, neural network technology and an extensive worldwide corrosion database. It was developed by Dr. Gregory X. Zhang at the TeckCominco Product Technology Centre and funded by the International Zinc Association (IZA).
This program is applicable to zinc-coated steel produced by batch or continuous galvanizing. It is applicable to hot-dip or electrogalvanized or thermally sprayed coatings. It does not apply to coatings containing alloying element larger than 1%, such as Galfan, Galvalume, Zn-12%Ni, Galvanneal, Supergalva or painted products. It assumes that the galvanized product is produced to generally accepted quality standards and that the zinc coating is not suffering from significant damage or defects, which could accelerate corrosion and reduce performance.
The Zinc Coating Life Predictor is published for information purposes only. Because of the number of factors inpacting atmospheric corrosion, it is impossible to predict corrosion rates with certainty.
IZA and TeckCominco expressly disclaim any warranty of merchantability and there are no warranties which extend beyond the description of the face hereof. IZA and TeckCominco disclaim any responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this software.
Does the SSSBA offer educational opportunities?
Yes! The SSSBA offers educational opportunities to students and professionals:
Professionals: The SSSBA provides complimentary half-day or full-day workshops on short span steel bridge design to states, counties, and design firms. Topics covered include practical and cost-effective steel bridge design and fabrication with eSPAN140, press-brake-formed steel tub girders, steel buried bridge design, galvanized coating solutions, and economical design with case studies, and more. The workshops can take place virtually or in-person, compliments of the steel industry. Learn more.
Students: The University of Wyoming and the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance created a free 6-part live-lecture educational series to cover the many aspects of designing, fabricating, and constructing steel bridges. All students who successfully complete the education series will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Wyoming. Learn more.
Speakers: The SSSBA provides expert speakers to present topics of interest on the cost-effective design and construction of short span steel bridges. If you need a speaker for your next event, contact the SSSBA.
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Durability & Coatings
Determining and Overcoming the Size Limitations of Hot-Dip Galvanizing
The American Galvanizers Association explains how kettle size limits can be overcome with strategies like modular design, progressive dipping, and other creative solutions.
News
SSSBA to Host Session on Corrosion Protection Systems at International Bridge Conference (July 15)
The SSSBA will host a session at the International Bridge Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, focused on corrosion protection systems for steel bridges, featuring expert presentations on weathering steel, galvanizing, metallizing and painting.