Short Span Steel Bridges 
NSBA Uncoated Weathering Steel Guide
The following information was provided by the National Steel Bridge Alliance.
Want an easy and attractive way to speed up steel bridge construction while reducing long-term costs and environmental impacts? Use uncoated weathering steel (UWS)!
For more than 50 years, bridge owners have relied on UWS to deliver excellent performance in diverse environments, and its benefits go way beyond aesthetics. UWS has inherent corrosion protection and doesn’t require any coating applications, so the steel is ready for erection much faster than coated members. This shaves time off the construction schedule, and even long after construction, it minimizes traffic disruptions due to decreased maintenance needs.
In addition to the cost savings from eliminating coatings, UWS is also a friendlier choice for the environment. Less painting means less release of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. Plus, you won’t need to worry about the containment and disposal of removed paint nor the abrasive blast media used for surface preparation.
With the long and successful history of UWS in bridges, many best practices for achieving favorable performance are well-established. Numerous studies have confirmed the successful outcomes of using UWS best practices in bridges, and now you can find out all the important takeaways with NSBA’s new Uncoated Weathering Steel Reference Guide!
Download the guide today to learn about site and location considerations, design recommendations, structural design, detailing, maintenance, and more! The Uncoated Weathering Steel Reference Guide is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about UWS.
Does steel provide an economical solution for bridge construction?
- Due to the light weight of steel, cost savings can be significant
- Studies show that weathering, A1010 (A709-50CR), and galvanized steel reduces both initial and life cycle costs.
- Steel can compete and even save costs when compared with nearly identical concrete structures. re.
- Steel bridges also have long lives, decreasing the need for replacement.
- Steel’s high strength permits longer spans, minimizing disruption to underlying habitats.
- Steel is highly resistant to extreme natural disasters such as earthquakes.
- Steel is the world’s most recycled material and is infinitely recyclable.
- Short span steel bridges can be designed with prefabricated elements which provide a simpler installation and cost savings.
Durability & Coatings
HDG Rebar vs. Epoxy-Coated Rebar
A new publication by the American Galvanizers Association compares the performance of hot-dip galvanized (HDG) rebar and epoxy-coated rebar in reinforced structures.
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.