Short Span Steel Bridges 
12 Reasons to Use SPS Bridge Decks
The Sandwich Plate System (SPS®) is a structural composite material used for bridge decks that is up to 70% lighter than reinforced concrete. A high precision component manufactured offsite, makes it easy and quick to install.
SPS comprises two metal plates bonded with a polyurethane elastomer core. It delivers a high strength to weight ratio making it an excellent alternative to both cast-in-place or pre-cast reinforced concrete. Bridge deck panels, typically 1-5/8” to 1-3/4” thick, are installed using standard steel working practices.
The design of SPS is simple. SPS panels are isotropic and naturally stiff in all directions. Standard design procedures are used to tailor the geometry and performance of SPS to each particular bridge.
The use of SPS results in lighter bridge decks which are simple and safer to construct and are built to more predictable and shorter schedules as installation is not weather dependent.
SPS bridge decks facilitate bridges with lighter girders, longer spans, fewer piers and reduced piling which reduce total project costs and schedules.
12 Reasons to Use SPS Bridge Decks
1. Up to 70% lighter than concrete. Can upgrade bridge using original beams and no reinforcement of original foundations
2. Lighter superstructure – smaller girders, longer spans, fewer piers, reduced piling resulting in reduced total project costs and schedules. Typical SPS bridge deck 1-5/8” to 1-3/4” thick.
3. Manufactured off-site. High quality and precise tolerances.
4. Modular construction, with no waste or pollution.
5. Arrive on-site with wearing surface already applied and all holes drilled for attachments.
6. Accelerated construction schedule using small plant and installed by local crews and contractors.
7. Equally suitable for long and short-span bridge construction.
8. Can be used for renovation, upgrade, widening and new build bridge projects.
9. Suitable for railroad and transit new build and renovation projects. Bridges may remain open and in-service during up-grade projects.
10. 100 year+ service life. SPS bridge decks are easy to inspect, coat and maintain. SPS bridge decks will not crack.
11. 3D BIM design – complex geometries more readily achieved with steel.
12. Lower net cost!
Download the latest SPS brochure for more information.
What is a bridge deck?
The decking system of a bridge can be defined as the surface upon which the traversing traffic drives. This is the surface which is used as a continuation of the driving surface on either side of the bridge.
Commonly, cast-in-place concrete is used as the method of placing a deck on a short span bridge, but due to the time of preparing formwork, it can be a very time-consuming process.
Prefabricated deck systems are some of the most commonly used applications of modular bridge technology.
Decks
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Decks
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Sandwich Plate System Deck
SPS is a structural material of two metal plates with a polyurethane elastomer core.