Short Span Steel Bridges 
NCSPA Publishes New Polymer Coating Report
Article provided by the National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA)
Plain galvanized corrugated steel structural plate buried bridges have been used successfully in tens of thousands of projects across the US, North America and around the world since it’s development nearly a century ago. It is the most sustainable and resilient product for short span steel bridge applications.
The product however is still limited to the environments in which zinc coatings can perform long term (80 to 100 years). To solve this problem for pipe, for over 50 years plain galvanized corrugated steel pipe has been coated with polymer laminate to boost performance and allow for use in more aggressive environments.
This technology of using a polymer coating is now being applied to corrugated steel structural plate. Providing even greater resiliency to the most sustainable product on the market, steel.
Polymer coated corrugated steel structural plate has been developed as a more durable and resilient alternative to galvanized steel structural plate. Corrugated plate structures are assembled using threaded fasteners which also receive a polymer coating. This report describes testing performed to support the development of a new ASTM specification for polymer-coated corrugated steel structural plate.
Test panels were installed vertically in a non-metallic rack prior to the start of testing.
Initial testing was performed on test panels representing combinations of plate and fastener coatings considered to be candidate materials. Coating materials were selected with performance similar to that required in ASTM A742/A742M, Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Metallic Coated and Polymer Precoated for Corrugated Steel Pipe.
The new ASTM standard was developed to be consistent with ASTM A761/A761M, Standard Specification for Corrugated Steel Structural Plate, Zinc-Coated, for Field-Bolted Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches while incorporating applicable requirements of ASTM A742/A742M. Follow-up testing was performed to ensure the selected product met the final specification requirements.
This report describes testing performed. Attachment II summarizes the test results for the products which meet the requirements of ASTM A1113/A1113M, Standard Specification for Corrugated Steel Structural Plate, Polymer-Coated, for Field-Bolted Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches.
- Final Report
- Attachment IIIA – Chemical Testing
- Attachment IIIB – Chemical Testing
- Attachment IV – Freeze Thaw Testing
- Attachment IV Appendix – Freeze Thaw Testing Images
What are buried steel bridges?
Buried steel bridges provide an economical choices for bridge replacement or bridge rehabilitation.
They essentially are a corrugated steel pipe or structural plate pipe systems that is “buried” with backfill to carry loads through soil-structure interaction. This means the bridge structure itself and the backfill soils surrounding the structure interact with each other to support the loads. In effect, the backfill material is part of the bridge.
Because of this interaction, the bridge structure is typically lighter, and there can be significant savings in structure costs.
There are also many cases where buried bridges can carry heavier loads than traditional bridges because of the benefits of spreading vehicle loads through the fill. Buried bridges do not require abutments; and unless foundation soil conditions are poor, do not typically
require deep foundations.An additional benefit with buried bridges is that they can be tailored to site conditions and geometric requirements. The design includes inputs for site soils and backfill, meaning that locally available materials can often be used in construction and the structure can be tailored to fit the needs of the site and the owner’s requirements.
Buried Bridge
Buried Steel Bridge Preserves Streambed While Supporting Heavy Loads
A new galvanized buried steel bridge in Riverside, Iowa, supplied by SSSBA member Lane Enterprises, replaced a weight-restricted structure and restored direct access for local farmers. Its open-bottom steel design preserves the natural streambed, enhances durability, and provides a cost-effective solution for rural infrastructure.
Buried Bridge
Buried Steel Bridge Protects Wildlife and Motorists in New Mexico DOT Project
The New Mexico DOT buried steel bridge project, featuring SSSBA member Contech’s custom structural plate design, was honored as the NCSPA Project of the Year for its innovative wildlife crossing solution on I-25 at Raton Pass.
Case Study
Steel in Action: On-Demand Steel Bridge Video Series
Watch this four-part, on-demand video series featuring expert-led case studies on cost-effective, resilient short span bridge projects—now available with downloadable presentation materials.
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Buried Bridge
Corrugated Steel Animal Overpass Reduces Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions
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Buried Bridge
NCSPA Releases Report to Simplify the Seismic Design for Buried Structures
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) released a groundbreaking report that simplifies the seismic design for buried structures including culverts, tunnels and buried steel bridges.