Short Span Steel Bridges 
FHWA Releases Data Collection Document on Weathering Steel Performance
The following information was provided by the Federal Highway Administration.
To access more information, please visit the following link.
This document gave broad guidance on situations where uncoated weathering steel (UWS) should not be used or else used with caution. As stated in the technical advisory (TA), “Further work is needed to quantify and understand the performance of UWS in a variety of circumstances and conditions.” This report details a study conducted with the FHWA Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Program that contributes toward that goal, particularly considering longer term performance of UWS structures than was available at the time of the writing of the 1989 TA.
Download the document here.
Document Authors
Additional Resources:
- For further information about UWS, download the National Steel Bridge Alliance’s free Uncoated Weathering Steel Reference Guide.
- Smart Design and Maintenance Key to Weathering Steel Bridges (link)
- Research Report: An Assessment Of Weathering Steel Bridges In West Virginia (link)
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.
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