Press Brake & Folded Plate
Folded and Press Brake Options for Accelerated Bridge Construction
Press Brake Tub Girders (PBTG) and Folded Steel Plate Girders (FSPG) provide an economical alternative for simple and short span bridge construction. These innovative yet simple models provide a long service life, requires little maintenance, and are designed for accelerated project delivery.
- PBTG consists of modular galvanized shallow trapezoidal boxes fabricated from cold-bent structural steel plate. A concrete deck or other deck option such as a steel sandwich plate system (SPS) may be placed 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, and is versatile for multiple-deck options. PBTG are “open source”, meaning the design is open to all manufacturers for fabrication.
- FSPG are fabricated from a single steel plate of uniform thickness that is then bent along multiple lines using a hydraulic metal press break to form an inverted tub shaped section. The plate thickness of either 3/8 in. or 1/2 in. can accommodate all span lengths by simply changing the location of the bends. The innovative, patented design eliminates the need for internal and external cross-frames because the design generates a large amount of lateral stiffness. The open bottom geometry of the folded steel plate girder makes the inspection of the quick and easy. For more information, contact CDR Bridge Systems.
If you are looking for a press brake or folded plate bridge supplier, please see Find-a-Supplier for a complete company directory.
SSSBA and WV LTAP Team Up for Steel Bridge Workshop
The SSSBA and WVDOH collaborated on a bridge workshop to discuss the design of steel bridges with cost-effective, time-saving options for states and counties.
On-Demand Steel Bridge Video Series: Learning By Example
A distinguished panel of 8 industry experts to present case studies that offer innovative and cost-effective examples of steel bridge replacement projects.
“Save a Bundle with Tub Girders” – Modern Steel Construction
The Michigan DOT shaved a year off its three year schedule by using bundled press-brake-formed tub girders for a 19 bridge replacement project.
Bridge Workshops: Changing Minds One Workshop at a Time
The SSSBA and Barron County, WI collaborated on a bridge workshop to discuss the replacement of aging bridges with cost-effective, time-saving steel options for state and county bridges.
SSSBA and Barron County Team Up for Steel Bridge Workshop
The SSSBA and Barron County, WI collaborated on a bridge workshop to discuss the replacement of aging bridges with cost-effective, time-saving steel options for state and county bridges.
Steel Bridge Provides TDOT With Accelerated Solution, Restores School Bus Route
A steel press-brake-formed tub girder bridge offered a quick solution to restore a school bus route in Tennessee.
Webinar: Steel Press-Brake Formed Tub Girders (August 31)
SSSBA member Valmont Structures is speaking at a free webinar for participants to engage with practitioners and industry experts to learn about press-brake-formed tub girders.
Barron County Installs Wisconsin’s First Steel Press-Brake Formed Tub Girder Bridge
Mark Servi, Barron County Highway Department, provided leadership for the construction of Wisconsin’s first press-brake tub girder steel bridge.
Whiteside County (IL) Selects Steel Bridge Solution for Short Lead Time
Russ Renner, Whiteside County Engineer, decided on a steel solution for an upcoming 105′ long bridge replacement project.
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.
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.
Guy Nelson Provides Insight on Steel Press-Brake Tub Girders
Guy Nelson, Product Development Director – Valmont Structures, provides insight into the fabrication and installation of press-brake tub girders, including details of a recent installation in Peoria, IL.
Peoria County Looks to Steel for Innovative Bridge Replacement Project
Jeff Gilles, Peoria County Assistant Engineer, discusses the new Evans Mill Road Bridge featuring the use of steel press-brake tub girders.
Michigan Governor Announces First Steel Bridge in Bundling Project Open to Traffic
Due to their flexibility and low-cost, press-brake tub girders were selected by the Michigan DOT for 19-bridge bundling project.
Revisions for Press-Brake-Formed Steel Tub Girder Bridges to be Included in AASHTO Specifications
The SSSBA initiated revisions affecting the use of press-brake-formed steel tub girder bridges that will be included in the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
Steel Story – FF Journal
Poised for an infusion of cash, America’s infrastructure looks to steel for low maintenance, lightweight solutions that are quick to install.
Michigan DOT Selects Steel for 19-Bridge Bundling Project
Due to their flexibility and low-cost, Valmont’s press-brake tub girders are selected for 19-bridge bundling project. Follow the project’s progress in real-time.
County Engineer Presents Benefits of Press-Brake Tub Girders at Illinois Conference
Champaign County completed the installation of the first prefabricated steel press-brake tub girder bridge in the state of Illinois.
Press-Brake Tub Girder Technology Expands to Multi-Span Applications
Valmont Structures installed a 104’ multi-span bridge using PBTG technology in a single morning.
Illinois Installs State’s First Steel Press-Brake Tub Girder Bridge
Champaign County completed the installation of the first prefabricated steel press-brake tub girder bridge in the state of Illinois.
Buchanan County Provides Virtual Tour of Iowa Steel Bridges
In this 20 minute video, county engineer Brian Keierleber provides an in-depth overview of 5 steel bridges built in Buchanan County, Iowa.
Video: Options for Short Span Steel Bridge Solutions
This video provides a summary of economical short span steel bridge solutions to consider for various lengths of crossings.
Steel Press-Brake Formed Tub Girder System Selected for 2021 AASHTO Innovation Initiative Focus Technology
AII will invest resources to accelerate the adoption of PBTG.
Press Brake Tub Girders Accelerate U.S Infrastructure Rebuilding
Forming process is a viable, efficient, economical solution to replacing aging bridges
Turning a Challenge Into an Innovative Design Solution
West Virginia Department of Highways constructs states first press-brake-formed steel tub girder bridge.
SSSBA Publishes New Research Report in Technical Series On Innovative Press-Brake Formed Steel Tub Girder Bridge Technology
Research report on field evaluation that includes skew and superelevation.
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.
Press Brake Tub Girders Featured in “Bridge Structures” Journal
An article highlighting press brake tub girders is published in a key bridge journal.
Amish Sawmill Bridge: An Innovative Steel Solution for Short Span Bridge Design
Buchanan County Iowa receives IBRC grant to constuct a press brake tub girder bridge.
Texas Public Works Uses Prefabricated Bridge for Replacement Project
Contractor uses press brake tub girder for its ease of construction and short lead time (less than 8 weeks).
Saving Time in Michigan with Press-Brake-Formed Steel Tub Girders
St. Clair County Michigan Uses Press Brake Tub Girders for ABC Project.
History and Overview of Press Brake Tub Girders
The press-brake-formed tub girder is a recently developed technology for short span bridge applications.
Turning a Challenge Into an Innovative Design Solution
The Amish Sawmill Bridge in Iowa is the first steel press-brake-formed tub girder bridge in service in the United States.
“Tub Time” – Modern Steel Construction
A new report showcases the development of press brake-formed tub girder bridges.
Innovative Bridge Design Saves Months in Construction Schedule
Muskingum County (Ohio) uses press brake tub girder bridge for accelerated bridge project.
County to Save $100,000 Using Innovative Steel Design for Bridge Replacement Project
Press Brake Formed Tub Girder (PBTG) provides cost-effective option for a County in Iowa.
Midland County Bundles Innovative Steel Bridge System and Saves Big
The new Orr Road Bridge in Midland County, Michigan, is a press brake fabricated steel bridge.
Ohio Bridge Raises the Bar for Future Short Span Construction
The Cannelville Road Bridge in Ohio was completed ahead of schedule, and is expected to have a service life of more than 100 years.