Short Span Steel Bridges 
Michigan DOT Selects Steel for 19-Bridge Bundling Project
Article provide by Valmont Structures
When the Michigan Department of Transportation put out a call for priced-proposals on a large design-build package of bridges, Valmont® was ready. We contacted the five-competing contractor/consulting teams with price-competitive solutions as compared to traditional pre-stressed concrete and bridge-beam options.
Offerings for one to all 19 bridges were developed (download MDOT project information), depending on each team’s interest, then followed up with specific details and design parameters. In the end, the low bid winning contractor chose our press brake tub girders.
Follow the progress of the project in real-time with MDOT’s ArcGIS Online
MDOT’s ArcGIS Online provides an interactive mapping platform that helps visualize department data, analyze patterns, track assets, and strengthen transportation planning efforts across the state. See updated map.
Press-brake formed steel tub girders have been independently researched and tested to deliver proven performance. Ours allow for a variety of installation and superstructure options, reduce time in the field, and comes hot-dip galvanized to provide over 75 years of maintenance-free protection.
These girders also meet all AASHTO and LRFD requirements and have been used and approved for both state DOT- and FHWA-funded projects. In fact, our press-brake formed tub girder was selected for the 2020 AASHTO Innovation Initiative, who will be helping nationwide implementation of this market-ready product in 2021.
Hot-dip galvanized press-brake tub girders provide over 75 years of maintenance-free protection.
The press-brake formed steel girder itself is just part of our highly flexible Con-Struct™ Prefabricated Bridge System. The project aims to efficiently replace the maximum number of serious or critical condition bridges using the best available solution. And is just another example of how we improve life by increasing the surface life, accessibility and safety by upgrading vital infrastructure.
What are Press Brake Tub Girders?
Press-brake-formed tub girder (PBTG) is a new technology for short span bridge applications. It consists of modular galvanized shallow trapezoidal boxes fabricated from cold-bent structural steel plate (watch fabrication video). A concrete deck is recommended to be precast on the girder and the modular unit can be shipped by truck to the bridge site.
The system utilizes standard plate widths (based on availability) and is optimized to achieve maximum structural capacity, with most of the steel in the bottom flange and increased torsional stiffness. It is a closed system, since the girder is closed at the bottom. It is versatile for multiple-deck options.
The system utilizes Accelerated Bridge Construction practices, since it:
- Can be installed in one or two days
- Is modular, allowing the use of a precast deck
- Is cost-effective―as much as 1/3 less than a standard concrete girder structure
- Is simple to fabricate, requiring very little welding.
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance has developed standardized plans using standard plate sizes (60”, 72” 84”, 96”, 108”, 120”). The designs were developed to achieve maximum structural capacity and are available to use in the free-to-use, web-based design tool eSPAN140.
The press-brake-formed tub girder system is open source.
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