Short Span Steel Bridges 
NSBA Releases New Steel Bridge Design Handbook
A newly updated and fully revised edition of the Steel Bridge Design Handbook (formerly the Highway Structures Design Handbook) is now available as a free download from the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), a division of the American Institute of Steel Construction.
“Since it was first introduced by US Steel in the 1970s, the Handbook has been a popular and important reference for everyone involved in the design and construction of steel bridges,” notes Jeff Carlson, PE, director of market development for NSBA. “It includes the latest research and advice from the nation’s top bridge experts and includes information ranging from mechanical properties of steel to splice design to corrosion protection.”
The original Handbook was produced by US Steel in the 1970s and quickly became a popular reference for steel bridge design. Later editions were produced by AISC and authored by FHWA, NSBA and HDR Engineering.
Download Options
This current edition of the Handbook will be maintained by NSBA. It includes 19 chapters and six design examples.
The full version of the Steel Bridge Design Handbook can be downloaded (PDF format) at aisc.org/bridgehandbook.
Individual chapters can be directly downloaded by clicking on the links to the following chapters:
STEEL BRIDGE DESIGN HANDBOOK
- Bridge Steels and Their Mechanical Properties – Chapter 1
- Steel Bridge Fabrication – Chapter 2
- Structural Steel Bridge Shop Drawings – Chapter 3
- Structural Behavior of Steel – Chapter 4
- Selecting the Right Bridge Type – Chapter 5
- Stringer Bridges and Making the Right Choices – Chapter 6
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
- Loads and Load Combinations – Chapter 7
- Structural Analysis – Chapter 8
- Redundancy – Chapter 9
- Limit States – Chapter 10
- Design for Constructability – Chapter 11
- Design for Fatigue – Chapter 12
- Bracing System Design – Chapter 13
- Splice Design – Chapter 14
- Bearing Design – Chapter 15
- Substructure Design – Chapter 16
- Bridge Deck Design – Chapter 17
- Load Rating of Steel Bridge – Chapter 18
- Corrosion Protection of Steel Bridge – Chapter 19
DESIGN EXAMPLE APPENDICES
- Design Example 1: Three-Span Continuous Straight Composite Steel I-Girder Bridge
- Design Example 2A: Two-Span Continuous Straight Composite Steel I-Girder Bridge
- Design Example 2B: Two-Span Continuous Straight Composite Steel Wide-Flange Beam Bridge
- Design Example 3: Three-Span Continuous Horizontally Curved Composite Steel I-Girder Beam Bridge
- Design Example 4: Three-Span Continuous Straight Composite Steel Tub-Girder Bridge
- Design Example 5: Three-Span Continuous Horizontally Curved Composite Steel Tub-Girder Bridge
For more information contact:
Scott Melnick
Senior Vice President
American Institute of Steel Construction
312.804.1535
melnick@aisc.org
Does the SSSBA offer educational opportunities?
Yes! The SSSBA offers educational opportunities to students and professionals:
Professionals: The SSSBA provides complimentary half-day or full-day workshops on short span steel bridge design to states, counties, and design firms. Topics covered include practical and cost-effective steel bridge design and fabrication with eSPAN140, press-brake-formed steel tub girders, steel buried bridge design, galvanized coating solutions, and economical design with case studies, and more. The workshops can take place virtually or in-person, compliments of the steel industry. Learn more.
Students: The University of Wyoming and the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance created a free 6-part live-lecture educational series to cover the many aspects of designing, fabricating, and constructing steel bridges. All students who successfully complete the education series will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Wyoming. Learn more.
Speakers: The SSSBA provides expert speakers to present topics of interest on the cost-effective design and construction of short span steel bridges. If you need a speaker for your next event, contact the SSSBA.
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