Research

Research for Short Span Steel Bridges

This section provides various research and development reports for short span steel bridge structures.

Research Resources

Construction

How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact the Construction Industry?

The application of artificial intelligence in various elements is well underway. Applying AI within the construction industry has arrived.

US DOT Strategic Plan

U.S. DOT Strategic Plan Includes $5 Billion in Research Funding

The U.S. DOT released a strategic plan that will guide more than $5 billion in research activities funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

TRIP Report Rural Bridges

Report Finds $180 Billion Needed to Repair U.S. Rural Transportation System

A new report from TRIP indicates the U.S. faces a $180 billion backlog in funding for needed repairs and improvements to the rural transportation system.

Steel press brake tub girders testing research

Steel Tub Girder High-Cycle Fatigue Testing Underway at West Virginia University

Galvanized steel press-brake steel tub girder sections arrived at West Virginia University for high-cycle fatigue testing.

Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance RFP Dual Grade Stainless Bridge

Proposals Requested for Hybrid Steel Plate Girder Pooled Fund Study

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is requesting proposals to investigated dual grade/hybrid steel plate girders utilizing stainless steel.

Skewed press brake steel tub Girders

Steel Tub Girder Research Underway to Evaluate Compactness Designation of Skewed Box Sections

It is anticipated that the research may produce AASHTO code revisions in both AASHTO Chapter 4 and AASHTO Chapter 6.

Sustainability of Rural Steel and Concrete Bridges

Research Report: Sustainability of Rural Steel and Concrete Bridges

The University of Wyoming conducted a study to evaluate the life cycle sustainability of two functionally equivalent steel and concrete rural bridges.

Truss Steel Bridge

The Life Cycle Cost of Galvanized Steel Bridges

In this video, Dr. Michael Barker provides a summary of a study to measure the financial benefits of hot dip galvanized steel in comparison to concrete bridges.

Life Cycle Analysis Steel Bridges

“Long-Term Analysis for Short-Span Bridges” – Modern Steel Construction

A recent life-cycle cost analysis compares steel and concrete short-span bridges.

espan140 standards short span plans

Evaluation of Short Span Steel Bridge Design Standards

A design evaluation of two 80-foot simple short span steel bridges with cross-sections capable of carrying two traffic lanes.

Press Brake Tub Girders - West Virginia

Research Reports: Development and Experimental Testing of Press Brake Tub Girders

Seven volume research report on the development and testing of steel press brake formed tub girders.

Jesup South Bridge - eSPAN140

Research Report: eSPAN140 Performance Assessment of Jesup South Bridge

Report is to discuss the development of eSPAN140 and its associated design standards.

Research Report: An Assessment Of Weathering Steel Bridges In West Virginia

Report provides an assessment of the performance of the weathering steel bridges in West Virginia.

Audrain County Steel Bridge

Short Span Shake-Up

Missouri short span bridge study finds steel saved 25% over concrete.

OH Bridge - Muskingum County

Research Report: Life Cycle Costs Matter When Comparing Steel and Concrete Girder Bridges

Dr. Barker developed a database to determine and compare the life cycle costs of steel and concrete girder bridges.