Tag Archive for: accelerated bridge construction

Global Accelerated Bridge Construction

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In 2005, U.S. Bridge began to expand and provide accelerated bridge construction in international markets. Because of our ability to assemble our bridges here in the United States, we can containerize and transport them anywhere in the world. We’re proud to say we’ve completed over 10,000 projects worldwide.

Recently, we sent a group of delegates to the Dominican Republic, including our International Sales Manager, Jonathan Benítez, P.E. He sat down with the Dominican press to discuss our construction process and provide insight on what makes U.S. Bridge a premier bridge fabricator. 

We look forward to collaborating with the Dominican Republic to help bring a better quality of life to communities isolated by rivers or other factors. We seek solutions, not just projects, making us stand out from other companies promoting their commercial activity within the Dominican Republic.

Providing Accelerated Bridge Construction Worldwide

We are happy to supply our accelerated bridge construction to any community needing a steel bridge. This concept involves a series of innovative techniques such as Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) and detailed renderings at each of the stages of the bridge project, from its design to its manufacturing and construction methods. Initially, this idea started in the United States as a way to restore damaged infrastructure more quickly. 

Since then, accelerated bridge construction has become common in projects to replace deteriorated bridges and construct new ones. In the end, the objective of these techniques is to lower the project’s total cost.

When we propose a project, we offer a wide array of prefabricated bridge types to meet your project needs. However, we want to collaborate with local companies to stimulate the local economy.

Battling the Climate

Many of our clients in Latin America face the challenges of flooding. In 2020, two tropical storms slammed into Guatemala, causing landslides and flooding, collapsing a bridge within the rural city of Gualán, Zacapa. 

Our accelerated bridge construction was able to aid in the community’s quick recovery by keeping them connected with our high-quality Liberty Bridge. In addition, when Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, we were quick to supply five separate bridges throughout the island within six weeks, which all stood firm during Hurricane Fiona’s recent appearance.

Building with Steel

Aside from accelerated bridge construction, there are many advantages to building bridges with steel, as opposed to other materials such as concrete. Weight directly affects the design of a bridge. Not only does steel weigh significantly less than concrete, but it also has a higher strength-to-weight ratio. This results in less maintenance and upkeep over time, making for a much more efficient and effective bridge.

Another important characteristic of steel structures is that they can achieve longer spans than concrete structures and require fewer intermediate supports. This benefits the environment because the fewer intermediate supports within a channel, the less interference in the waterway.

Furthermore, steel allows for galvanization, enabling our bridges to withstand time and minimize maintenance. Galvanized steel in particular eliminates corrosion for up to 100 years. In addition, we also offer a 35-year warranty on all galvanized steel bridges.

Connecting the World with U.S. Bridge

U.S. Bridge is a proud leader in manufacturing and engineering. We design, engineer, manufacture, and galvanize our solutions according to AISC standards. Our history and experience demonstrate our ability to build solid, long-lasting bridges.

Contact us today for a free quote or get a jumpstart on your project using BridgeScope.

U.S. Bridge is Ready to Respond to Yellowstone Flooding

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The recent events pertaining to the Yellowstone flooding have left all of us heartbroken. The devastating flooding that took place last month is the result of an extreme onset of spring rains combined with melting snow rushing down the Montana mountains. Our hearts shatter as we witness the flooding wipe away livelihoods, roadways, and bridges.

As the disaster continues to take its toll on the area, it’s impossible to fathom the devastation from afar. We simply cannot sit and watch, knowing well we can help. We are ready at a moment’s notice. Our speed and reliability speak for themselves, but our personal compassion compels us to offer our services to help mend the area.

The Flooding of Yellowstone

In June 2022, Yellowstone closed its doors and evacuated more than 10,000 visitors. Floods, washed-out roads, crumbling bridges, and large boulders falling on roadways occurred within the northwest of Wyoming, southwest Montana, and eastern Idaho.

The flooding of Yellowstone was something “rarely or never seen before across many area rivers and streams,” according to the National Weather Service. Tropical moisture poured down on the Pacific Northwest before dumping several inches of rain on northern Wyoming and southern Montana. This mixed with a warm spell that sped up the melting of a hefty snowpack leading to the catastrophic flooding.

Though the Yellowstone flooding has left us speechless, we are ready to provide what we can to bring Yellowstone and the surrounding area back to its natural, beautiful self. This wouldn’t be anything new for U.S. Bridge, as back in 2020 a pair of tropical storms decimated a town in Guatemala leaving a trail of destruction.

We were then chosen to supply the community with our reliable Liberty Bridge to replace the one that was destroyed during the storm. And we’re proud of the speed and recovery of those results.

Designed for Quick Assembly and Durability

Our Liberty Bridge sports a truss-style design and is extremely versatile. This sturdy bridge is fast and durable, making it perfect for emergency installation and also as a permanent structure. Designed with only the highest quality of materials, the Liberty Bridge is able to withstand the test of time. Not to mention, it also offers a beautiful aesthetic with its use of prefabricated panels and modular design. So, it’s no surprise that this bridge is often incorporated in many emergency situations.

Back in 2018, Hurricane Maria destroyed much of Puerto Rico, prompting us to supply a total of five separate Liberty Bridges to the territory. This opportunity to restitch the island took a quick six weeks to complete. Our quick turnaround to provide a bridge to any population in need gives those who live in the area the peace of mind that normality will return sooner than later.

U.S. Bridge: A Trusted Brand

It’s our goal to provide the best quality bridges anywhere in the world. We proudly produce our bridges in Ohio and ship them to any community or location in need of a bridge. This is something we here at U.S. Bridge take to heart. We love that our work is able to restore and bring communities closer together.

We are an AISC-recognized supplier and we guarantee the best quality steel for any job. Contact us today for a free quote. Or start planning your project today with our premier Bridgescope tool!

The Best Practices in Bridge Management

Proper bridge construction management is necessary to keep a project organized and completed within the budget and schedule. However, managing such a large project such as a bridge’s construction may seem daunting, so we’ve listed some of the best practices for maximizing your chance of success.

Determine the Scope of the Project

Like in any other industry, proper management is essential to a construction project’s success. What’s the best way to pre-plan your project and effectively manage it? Well, a great solution is by working with key stakeholders to determine an accurate scope of the project.

Understanding the scope is one of the first steps in the successful management of bridge construction. This means taking the time to create a thorough breakdown of what’s required for the project such as:

  • Identifying what is within or out of scope.
  • Noting the work required, the team performing the work, and the schedule of its completion.
  • Include any important elements that may impact the outcome.
  • Determining the constraints that might limit or negatively impact the outcome of the project such as resources, procurement issues, timing, etc.

Once you work out the scope, you can now move on to planning project decisions such as deck construction, railing criteria, live loads, etc.

Start Creating Plans and Strategies Early

Your planning process is essentially how you will achieve the goals set out within the scope. The reality is that while a project of the highest quality scope, at the lowest price, done in the least amount of time is ideal, it is difficult to achieve. Hence, a strategy-based process is necessary to achieve your overall objective.

Understanding your project’s success metrics is key to streamlining the decision-making process. In other words, determine project components such as feasibility, procurement, construction, close-out, and more to effectively work towards accomplishing the goal. In addition, as the project progresses you should continually refer to your detailed scope to determine if there are any changes and how they will impact the project. Recognizing and implementing adjustments in a timely manner will help reduce delays and risks.

This means start planning long before the actual construction begins, and continue revising until the end of the project. The design, pre-construction, and procurement stages of a construction project all require meticulous planning — and may need to be revised as the project progresses.

A properly planned out and scheduled project is a well-managed and successful bridge project.

Ensure Quality Construction

The quality of the construction is a big part of its success and reflects your skills in bridge management. Thus, in your planning process, you want to consider options that will create lasting effects. Consider utilizing durability solutions such as special enhancement and treatments. Galvanized or weathered steel is a popular option to slow the process of deterioration.

Not only should you be deciding what materials and methods to use, but who the manufacturer should be. Supply chain management helps you stay organized and save money. This means careful management of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and designers.

Pay attention to the order and delivery of materials on-site, the selection of contractors, their involvement in design and planning, and methods used to reduce invoice and transaction costs. In addition, reinforce collaborative methods with those involved in the project to keep the system flowing. This will encourage proper accountability, support, and incentives from supply chain partners.

Starting a project with these practices in mind minimizes disputes and delays. Not to mention, it improves safety and business practices and develops better project relationships.

Trust us to Build your Bridge

Our 80+ years working with various companies all across the world has provided us with the skills and experience needed for even the most challenging projects. We are confident that our engineering and manufacturing expertise will fit the needs of your project. Contact us on our website to learn more about how you can collaborate with us or fill out our exclusive BridgeScope tool for a quick quote.

What is Modular Construction for Bridges

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At the start of any construction project, you have to ask what materials and method would best accomplish your goal. You’ve probably come across modular bridge construction and you’ve wondered what is it and should you consider it.

We’ve created a brief introduction to modular construction and its benefits to bridge design.

Modular Construction

Modular construction is any construction that is built in a controlled environment, typically a factory, and later installed on-site. The popularity of modular construction is increasingly rising due to its various advantages such as speed, flexibility, and customization.

Modular construction, sometimes known as prefabricated construction, is built with the same materials and similar methods as regular construction, but often comes with additional features unique to prefabrication. For example, since they are manufactured in a controlled environment modular construction has the advantage of ensured quality.

In addition, because it takes place simultaneously in a factory and on-site, modular construction can be completed in half the time of traditional construction. This rapid construction phase and versatility allow them to be used in various situations.

The combination of ensured quality, speed, and flexibility is why modular construction is often considered a durable and efficient option for builders.

The Benefits of Modular Bridges

Modular bridges are relatively modern and thus have many misconceptions. Despite popular belief, modular bridges do not require the use of already premade sections of limited sizing and options. The great thing about modular bridges is their customization and flexibility.

Every modular bridge is specifically designed custom to your project and design. This customization process makes it a preferred and sometimes even, required option for some bridge projects.

Not to mention, since most of the bridge is premade in a safe environment, the likelihood of weather delays or traffic disruption is significantly decreased. Additionally, it provides workers with safer and more comfortable working conditions. Thus modular bridges offer easy and effective project management. It’s an ideal option for any construction project with time or budget constraints.

Build your Next Bridge with U.S. Bridge

As an industry leader in bridge manufacturing and engineering, we’ve built solutions that can be utilized for any bridge project. We’ve developed Bridge Kits, a DIY solution for accelerated bridge construction that is engineered, designed, manufactured, and galvanized per AISC certifications.

We work with environmentally friendly materials to build strong, long-lasting bridges. Coupled with extensive experience, our team designs, and manufactures high-quality bridges custom to your project.

We’ve been engineering bridges for decades. If you’d like to know more about our Bridge Kits and accelerated bridge construction, please contact us for a free quote or use our exclusive bridge design tool Bridge Scope today.

Earth Day: Reducing Environmental Impact of Construction

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Earth Day: Environmental Impact of Construction

It’s no surprise that construction has a huge impact on the environment. Although many structures can not be built sustainably today, we should still try to reduce our environmental footprint for tomorrow. However, you may be surprised to find how easy it is to reduce the environmental impact of construction, especially bridge construction!

Here are some ways bridge construction can reduce environmental impact, and ways U.S. Bridge aims to build sustainable, eco-friendly bridges.

Use Sustainable Materials

Steel Bridge

This easily adaptable material is a popular choice for many bridges due to its affordability, strength, and positive environmental impact. The great thing about steel is that it is both lightweight and incredibly durable. Its lightweight means that often, no cranes or large machinery is needed for steel construction — thus less invasion on surrounding environments.

Steel’s enduring nature guarantees it can withstand large amounts of weight which is why it can be used for any construction project. And as added bonus, the weight of steel makes installation easier by keeping road disruption at a minimum.

Steel’s Environmental Benefits

One of the best parts about steel is that it is the most recyclable material in the world.

Almost all steel construction incorporates recycled steel, which has proven its strength as equivalent to virgin steel. Its popularity and eco-friendly status are often why steel is considered affordable for many project builders. Additionally, builders save money on maintenance and repair due to steel’s long life span, as it does not degrade over time as quickly as other materials.

Plastic Bridges

Many countries around the world are striving to reduce their environmental impact within their industry. From this idea, construction companies are testing the effectiveness of using recycled plastic to construct a bridge.

Located in Scotland, the Easter Dawyck Bridge is the longest in the world built using recycled plastic. This completely recyclable bridge was constructed by recycling over 100,00 lbs. of waste and can hold the weight of vehicles up to 88,000 lbs.

The Easter Dawyck Bridge wielded great results as the recycled material is both light and extremely durable. Reports indicate that it does not corrode, does not rust, does not require painting nor any form of treatment or maintenance.

There are many benefits to using recycled plastics in road applications such as reduced energy consumption, reduced waste to landfills, and alleviating the need for use of creating new materials for future projects. However, there is still much uncertainty about the performance and long-term durability of recycled plastic bridges with different traffic loading and environmental conditions.

So why don’t we see more recycled bridges? Its biggest obstacle is the high price tag that comes with making it. That’s why U.S. Bridge sticks with steel.

Environmentally-Friendly Construction Methods

Just using sustainable materials isn’t enough. Take the step further and ensure that you are incorporating environmentally-friendly methods in bridge construction processes.

Develop a green design that considers the long-term impact of the bridge, along with the economic aspects, to ensure that the positive benefits can be maintained over the long term. This means that you should consider the environmental issues and conditions that can arise during its lifespan, construction phase, and maintenance.

Ask yourself if you are doing all you can to limit the effect of stormwater and other runoff? What steps can you take to better manage construction waste? Partner with other companies that may use your leftover products so that nothing goes to waste.

Accelerated Bridge Construction and Bridge Kits

An easy way to reduce your environmental impact in bridge construction is with accelerated bridge construction. The installation and construction process of a bridge consumes large amounts of fuel, increases exhaust emissions, incurs traffic delays, and affects pavement performance. Using accelerated bridge kits to quickly build a safe and dependable bridge will significantly cut the environmental footprint of the project. Not to mention, it saves builders time during the installation phase of construction.

Building with an Impact at U.S. Bridge

Here at U.S. Bridge, we believe in building bridges that positively affect the community and that will last decades. That’s why we offer a wide selection of prefabricated bridges specifically designed for your project. We work directly with companies around the world — without middlemen — to engineer, manufacture, and construct steel bridges.

If you would like to know more about our construction process or bridge design feel free to contact us. Also, check out our exclusive bridge scope tool designed to provide a free quote in just five minutes!

Permanent vs Temporary Bridge Construction: A Guide

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Temporary vs Permanent Bridge Construction | U.S. Bridge

If you’re attempting to restore an existing bridge or trying to replace a destroyed bridge, you may be wondering if you should erect a permanent bridge or a temporary one. Most likely, you’re thinking of building a temporary bridge construction until the permanent construction is done — but does that really save money?

What exactly is the difference between temporary and permanent bridge construction? With advancements in technology, specifically accelerated bridge construction, many projects can forgo a temporary bridge — often saving millions of dollars.

Let’s break down the main differences between permanent and temporary bridge construction.

Time: How soon do you need the bridge?

Generally, temporary bridges are quick to erect and dismantle as they are often used in emergency scenarios. That being said, temporary bridges take away time and money from permanent constructions. With just a few more weeks, a permanent bridge can be built without the added effort of a temporary bridge. This can save taxpayers and local governments by forgoing them whenever possible.

Many temporary and permanent bridge construction are pre-assembled if they are made with prefabricated bridge kits. This saves builders time during the planning and construction phase.

Additionally, prefabricated kits manufactured by U.S. Bridge ensure the addition of a U.S. Bridge team member to oversee the construction, to make it efficient and effective.

Affordability: How does it affect your budget?

Recently, more and more bridges are completed with prefabricated construction and are produced with lightweight materials such as steel. This means that less heavy equipment is required for installation. For example, our bridge kits are assembled before they reach the job site.

Ultimately, the erection of a temporary and permanent bridge is more expensive since builders are erecting two structures rather than one.  Builders can save money by investing in a prefabricated permanent bridge rather than erect a temporary bridge.

Longevity: How long do you need the bridge?

Temporary bridges are just that: temporary structures. Its integrity is intended for a select period of time and in comparison to permanent bridges — which are meant to last for generations — it isn’t suited for nearly the same amount of constant traffic use. Temporary bridges may need frequent examinations to ensure that the bridge is able to hold the weight of daily traffic.

The life span of any construction will depend on the level of maintenance kept. Several elements such as the location, weather, and usage frequency all contribute to the erosion of a bridge. Additionally, the longevity of a bridge is determined by the material used. Builders can aid in the prevention of erosion by protecting their bridges with galvanization or other preventative methods.

Since each bridge varies, builders should seek the manufacturer for specific instructions on installation and long-term maintenance.

Build your bridge with U.S. Bridge

With over 80 years in the bridge construction industry, U.S. Bridges has designed, engineered, and built over 10,000 bridges worldwide. We’ve built various bridges from prefabricated to permanent construction such as the Mulholland Highway Bridge in Los Angeles County and the Marble Cliff bridge in Columbus, Ohio.

In addition, to facilitate the building process we design custom prefabricated Bridge Kits that come with one of our experienced team members to assist construction. We build each bridge to fit your specific needs. Contact us today and let’s talk about how we can make your bridge project a long-lasting success.

Accelerated Bridge Construction Myths

Accelerated Bridge Construction Myths

Accelerated bridge construction is growing, but there are still many misconceptions surrounding this construction process. Often these ideas stem out of traditional approaches to bridge construction and don’t take into account changes in technology or updated design and construction practices. We want to help builders dismiss these accelerated bridge construction myths and take advantage of the options for efficient construction available to them.

Here are four of the most common accelerated bridge construction myths that are easy to dispel.

Four Popular Accelerated Bridge Construction Myths:

  1. Accelerated bridge constructions are only for temporary use.
  2. Accelerated bridge constructions are one-size-fits-all.
  3. Timber decks are not a good material for accelerated bridge constructions.
  4. Steel is not competitive for bridges less than 140ft in length.

Myth: Accelerated Bridge Constructions are only for temporary use

Truth: While prefabricated bridges were originally intended for temporary use, they are quickly rising in popularity for permanent construction. Prefabricated bridges are most notably known for their efficient assembly, and they are evolving to fulfill permanent bridge requirements.

The steel bridge members are built in a controlled environment such as U.S. Bridge’s facilities. This not only allows a smoother construction experience process but also ensures ideal conditions for quality permanent bridge construction.

Myth: Accelerated Bridge Constructions are one-size-fits-all

Truth: Prefabricated bridges are custom-built and designed specifically for each project. Thus, they are just as flexible as on-site construction bridges. Our team uses their expertise to design our prefabricated bridges for every setting, from vehicular to pedestrian to utility and private bridges.

As such, there are various options for building prefabricated bridges; builders can use materials such as steel, concrete, asphalt, and even timber. They can also choose the exterior appearance of the bridge. The options are only limited by the project itself such as location and purpose.

Myth: Timber decks are not a good material for prefabricated bridges

Truth: There is a misconception that timber decks do not hold up well for prefabricated bridges. However, the improvements in timber bridge deck design allow this material to be competitive and effective.

These decks are built with glued-laminated wood and directly fastened onto steel stringers. Thus, the use of glulam structural members significantly increases timber bridges span length and carry capacity.

Myth: Steel is not a competitive material for bridges less than 140-feet in length

Truth: Perhaps the most competitive aspect of the use of steel in short span bridges is that it can save builders money and time. Due to its lightweight composition, less heavyweight equipment is required for installation. In addition, with a member of U.S. Bridge’s team to assist in on-site construction, the process can move efficiently.

In general, prefabricated steel bridges compare well against other options when considering factors such as field labor and installation speed and cost. Faster construction time means avoiding delay related losses.

Additionally, when prefabricated bridge constructors receive discounts for purchasing in bulk. Thus, materials are less expensive and can assist with alleviating environmental mitigation costs.

Choose U.S. Bridge for Accelerated Bridge Construction

Ultimately, these myths are ancient history. Prefabricated bridges are very adaptable to fit almost all bridge projects. Accelerated bridge constructions are modular and built in a controlled location such as a factory and installed on-site. Not only do we manufacture the materials needed for your project, but we also send a member of our team to ensure the efficiency of construction.

U.S. Bridge has been engineering and manufacturing bridges for decades. Our experience makes us confident that we can meet the needs of your project and deliver a long-lasting bridge

We recognize and understand that your bridge is a major investment. So, we’re here to help you from the beginning of your project through the end. Contact us for a free quote, or use our exclusive bridge design tool Bridge Scope.

The Mulholland Bridge Project in Los Angeles County

Mulholland Bridge Project US Bridge

In 2018, the Woolsey fire decimated the Santa Monica Mountains. In its destruction, the fire burnt down the Mulholland Highway bridge located within the mountains. U.S. Bridge partnered with Los Angeles County to rebuild the Mulholland Bridge to reconnect the community with a two-lane bridge.

The Woolsey Fire

In November 2018, a fire ignited in the Los Angeles and Ventura counties that lasted three days. The Woolsey fire spanned almost 97,000 acres and among the various buildings that were burned, the Mulholland Highway bridge was also destroyed.

Nearby towns came to a standstill after the destruction of the bridge. The devastation affected commerce, traffic, and people’s morals. The county believes that a new bridge will reunite the region and get the community to return to normal after the major disaster.

A Plan for a New Bridge

The county erected a one-lane temporary bridge while they completed the construction of the replacement bridge. Soon, construction on a new permanent bridge began.

Mark Pestrella, the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, stated that the goal of the new bridge construction from U.S. Bridge is to not only restore stability within the community but to also reduce commute times for residents. Additionally, the new bridge should provide a safe exit should another emergency arise. That’s why the county entrusted U.S. Bridge to engineer, manufacture, and construct the new Mulholland Highway bridge.

 

Building the Mulholland Bridge

The Mulholland Bridge is a two-lane steel truss bridge that was manufactured in just eight weeks, with the help of Granite Construction and Bragg Crane and Rigging.  The bridge spans 140-feet with a width of 34-feet and one 5-foot sidewalk for pedestrians. This is a galvanized structure that received two coats of paint on top of the galvanizing for added aesthetics.

Construction began in January 2020, and we are proud to say that while maintaining safety regulations, construction was completed smoothly despite local restrictions due to COVID-19. We work endlessly to ensure the safety of our crew while also exceeding the bridge owner’s expectations.

Heading? Save Time Save Money?

Whenever applicable, we advise clients to skip the temporary bridge and go straight to building the permanent bridge. This is because oftentimes a permanent bridge can be delivered in a short period of time. In some cases, a permanent structure is built in a similar time span it takes to erect a temporary bridge. Thus, bridge owners will save time and money.

A temporary bridge can cost between $1-2 million, all funded by the Federal Highway Administration and local gas tax dollars. Due to this cost, constructing a bridge structure permanently just once, rather than twice, allows local governments to apply public funds to other essential areas of transportation.

Nobody likes doing things twice. Save money and time, and forgo the temporary bridge to move straight into permanent bridge construction by partnering with an experienced bridge builder.

Build Bridges and Trust with US Bridge

We are glad to be a part of this restoration in Los Angeles county by building a bridge that connects the community for decades to come. We worked together with other companies such as Granite Construction, Bragg Crane & Rigging, and Los Angeles County to complete this project. With our professional collaboration and expertise, this project became a great success and a proud moment for our team.

To learn more about why we’re the leader in steel bridge construction, get in touch with us. We’re glad to answer any questions about your bridge construction project.

Advantages of Steel Truss Bridge Construction

Truss Bridge

There are several timeless designs that have been used in bridge building for decades. However, there are few more iconic than the truss bridge. In the 1800s, America was the leader in truss bridge design, though older constructions used wood. The design is vintage Americana, but it’s become modernized.

Today, truss bridges are used as an effective bridge construction option. Although one thing has changed: steel is the primary component in new truss constructions. U.S. Bridge is a leader in building modern truss bridges that will last for decades to come.

Let’s discuss why we use steel truss bridge design for many of our new constructions.

Advantages of Steel Truss Bridges

  1. Strong load-bearing capacity
  2. Effective use of materials
  3. Affordable to construct
  4. Versatile and adaptable design
  5. Professional bridge engineering

Steel Truss Bridge

First, What is a Truss Bridge?

Truss bridges are formed with a structure of connected elements that form triangular structures to make up the bridge. Trusses are the triangles that connect to the top and bottom cord and two end posts.

The trusses make up reinforcement for the bridge that even the load-bearing across the structure. Furthermore, the truss dissipates the load through the structure so the middle of the beam experiences less compression and tension. As you will see later, there are several variations of the truss, but it starts with a top and bottom cord and a series of trusses.

1. Strong Load-Bearing Capacity

Even the earliest wood truss bridges were built to distribute weight evenly. With this intention in mind, bridges could be built for larger loads. Overall, this makes this bridge design a very strong and dependable option. With steel construction, truss bridges can take on the traffic of today.

2. Effective Use of Materials

What makes truss bridges relevant more today than ever is their effective use of materials. Keep in mind, less materials means easier construction and less money spent. Already, our bridge construction uses recycled steel that is lightweight and has been certified for Bridge Fabrication — Advanced (Major) by the AISC.

In fact, each piece is constructed with a definite purpose for truss bridge construction. This way, the construction and use of each steel piece are perfect for the bridge.

3. Affordable To Construct

Because of the simplicity of truss bridge designs, they are often a great fit for accelerated bridge construction. In order to improve construction time, each steel piece can be quickly pieced together.

If considering the full cost of material and labor, truss bridges save builders thousands of dollars. Not to mention the long-term savings from building a long-lasting, durable bridge from U.S. Bridge.

4. Versatile and Adaptable Design

While truss bridges are great for short spans, what makes them versatile is their ability to go long distances and still support large loads. With the polygonal design of the truss, it’s possible to cover long distances. Even at U.S. Bridge, we have several options to fit the bridge construction you’re looking for.

In particular, truss bridges can be needed in areas with extreme weather. Despite the harsh weather, with great structural engineering, our truss bridges are prepared to last even the worst storms for decades to come. When it comes to crossing a treacherous area, truss bridges can be built to keep communities connected.

5. Professional Bridge Engineering

While a truss bridge may seem simple, they are actually quite intricate and require complex engineering and design. Because the weight must be distributed away from the center beam, each truss must be optimally engineered to distribute the weight. Without attention to detail in the engineering design, the truss design will not be nearly as effective.

Bridges are very dynamic, but at U.S. Bridge, we can guarantee the highest-quality engineering that fits the environmental components of the build location.

The U.S. Bridge Steel Truss Bridge Designs

Several of our U.S. Bridge designs use steel trusses for optimal strength and durability. However, every truss bridge is different. Here are just a few of the truss constructions we’ve done in the past.

Pratt Truss — Liberty, Viking, Seneca, Voyager

Warren Truss — Cambridge, Cambridge Flat

Box Truss — Thru Truss

Experts in Truss Bridge Construction

When you invest in a U.S. Bridge, you can rest assured you’re investing in experts in truss bridges. We’ve been building long-lasting steel bridges for decades. We regard every detail of your bridge with a high level of attention and efficiency to ensure it’s high-quality.

If you’d like to know more about our bridge construction projects and have any questions about a project, please contact us today and get a free quote.

Bridge Kits: A Solution for Accelerated Bridge Construction

U.S. Bridge Kits

Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) is an evolution in project planning for bridge construction. Often, bridges need to be constructed quickly and under a tight budget. Meanwhile, they need to maintain safety, quality, durability, and costs. To solve these problems, U.S. Bridge created Bridge Kits, a DIY solution for accelerated bridge construction.

Bridge Kits work best for bridge builders who have the labor and equipment to install bridges, but not the engineering or manufacturing capabilities. Therefore, construction teams across the country use our Bridge Kits to accelerate bridge construction and decrease costs.

U.S. Bridge has decades of experience in manufacturing and engineering steel bridges. Just like all of our bridges, the Bridge Kits are custom designed to provide a sustainable bridge structure that fits your needs. Additionally, they are a paradigm shift in bridge construction to fast-track quality bridge projects everywhere.

Bridge Kits are a Cost-Effective Bridge Solution

Our bridge kits improve site constructability and project delivery time by fully preparing our materials to be installed. In turn, we’re able to save bridge owners money. All of our kits currently come with our Cortez Bridge design. This design has already proven useful in quick builds. However, construction is even easier now, with manufactured parts shipping directly to job sites.

“Three main benefits of using ABC methods include minimized impact to traffic, increased
safety during construction, and minimized impacts in environmentally sensitive areas,” according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Bridge Kits Engineering

Engineering and Design

We have decades of experience in engineering and designing bridges to particular specifications. As a result, our team knows how to build great bridges. We can ensure the durability of our high-quality materials to keep bridges in shape for decades to come.

Bridge Kits - Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Following design, we manufacture all of the parts for your bridge. We work with environmentally-friendly materials to produce aesthetically-pleasing, long-lasting bridges. Off-site work on parts of the bridge leads to faster bridge construction on-site. In turn, projects are completed faster, lane closures decrease, and work-zone safety increases.

Lastly, we provide galvanizing for corrosion protection for steel in all of our Bridge Kits. As a result of galvanizing, we create long-lasting structures that keep bridges maintenance-free for 50 years or more.

Shipping

U.S. Bridge has delivered bridges worldwide for decades. Our Bridge Kits are no different. Firstly, we deliver the manufactured parts right to your construction site. Then your team can construct it from the first day materials are on-site.

What the Bridge Kits include

Once the span and width of the bridge are set, we manufacture every part you need to build the bridge. In our accelerated bridge construction, we deliver all the parts you need for easy construction.

  • Bridge and Pedestrian Railings
  • Bearings
  • Expansion Joints
  • Anchor Bolts
  • Structural Fasteners
  • Floor or Deck System
  • Various additional customizations

U.S. Bridge manufactures steel per AISC certifications. Coupled with extensive experience, our manufacturers are fabricating high-quality bridges. Bridge Kits are consistent with our efforts to improve infrastructure and the nation’s transportation system with innovative bridge construction.

Our Cortez Bridge Design

Currently, all of our Bridge Kits come in our Cortez design. The Cortez design is perfect for short spans, but is very adaptable and versatile to fit the needs of your bridge. It’s a simple span beam bridge, which supports a concrete deck slab and stay-in-place forms. Above all, it’s easy to install without highly-specialized equipment. Similarly to all of our bridges, Cortez’s high-quality steel constructions are extremely durable and guarantee minimal to no maintenance.

Let’s Piece it Together

U.S. Bridge proudly delivers on long-lasting bridge construction projects around the world. We regard every detail of your bridge with a high level of attention and efficiency to ensure it’s high-quality. If you’d like to know more about our Bridge Kits and accelerated bridge construction, please contact us today for a free quote.

Are Texas, Florida And Puerto Rico Ready For Hurricane Season?

Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico last year. With 155-MPH winds and severe flooding, the storm resulted in $100 billion in damage and took more than 4,000 lives, according to a report out of Harvard. Unfortunately, Puerto Rico and other hurricane-prone regions might not be out of the woods yet. According to forecasters, Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico are among the areas that need to take hurricane season precautions in 2018, as well.

What the Meteorologists Say

An article in the Huffington Post reveals that the 2018 hurricane season could be tumultuous. A weak La Nina in the Pacific, coupled with warm waters in the Atlantic, may result in more storms striking the continental U.S., along with Caribbean islands and Central America.

Braniff Davis, a Hurricane Harvey recovery analyst for Houston, is particularly concerned about the effect another storm would have on the area.

“There’s still a sense of Harvey PTSD here; every time we get a minor flooding event (which is just part of life in Houston, let’s be honest) people are afraid of what it means,” he said.

Puerto Rico Hurricane Season Precautions

The need for precautions is particularly crucial in Puerto Rico, which is still struggling to rebuild the infrastructure that was destroyed in 2017. Not only did the storm damage 300,000 houses, but the island suffered electric grid failures, destroyed roads, and bridges. And despite the Puerto Rican governor’s pleas for $95 billion to rebuild, many requests for FEMA aid have been denied.

“Puerto Rico is not ready for another hurricane,” said Telemundo Puerto Rico journalist Ivette Sosa. “We still have blue roofs on hundreds of houses all over the island. We have municipalities that still do not have electricity, and people in those areas are getting desperate.”

With little idea of what the future may hold, Puerto Rico is focusing on new construction that prioritizes durability, sustainability, and mold resistance. Additionally, the island has been building new emergency bridges with the aid of U.S. Bridge.

Contact Us Today

At U.S. Bridge, we specialize in building emergency bridges with prefabricated panels assembled in modules. To learn more about how we’re helping Puerto Rico or what we can do for your city, call today or contact us online.

Video of Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria

Video of Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria

Watch our summary video from Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria and the work that was done.

During devastation, we are there to help. Please fill out a free quote for more information on how we can partner with you to help during the most stressful of times.

The following is the transcript from  the video Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria in both English and Spanish

Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria: English Translation

In September of 2017, Hurricane Maria brought devastation to the island of Puerto Rico. This level 5 hurricane left the country without power … and over 1100 lives were lost to this catastrophic event.

U.S. Bridge brought relief to 5 communities throughout the island. This was achieved through use of modular designed Liberty bridges. In just six weeks, the bridges were manufactured and installation was completed to reconnect residents across the island. Over 850 metric tons of U.S. steel was used to create more than 950 feet of bridge. The Liberty Bridge design has been rigorously tested to ensure durability, and longevity.

Hope was restored. Life is getting back to normal. U.S. Bridge is committed to strengthening infrastructure by creating and reinforcing bridges that keep goods and services moving efficiently. The company’s primary goal in Puerto Rico is to aid those affected by the hurricane so that life can return to normal as quickly as possible.

U.S. Bridge is an Ohio based company with decades of bridge design, engineering, manufacturing, and construction experience. Inquire more about how the company is changing and strengthening America and the world’s infrastructure, one bridge at a time. Learn more at USBridge.com

Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria: Spanish Translation

Este video es un resumen del trabajo realizado por U.S. Bridge en Puerto Rico después de que el huracán María dejó el país devastado.

En septiembre del 2017, el huracán María trajo devastación a la isla de Puerto Rico. Este huracán de nivel 5 dejó el país sin energía eléctrica … y más de 1100 vidas fueron perdidas en este evento catastrófico.

U.S. Bridge trajo alivio a 5 comunidades en toda la isla. Esto se logró mediante el uso de puentes Liberty de un diseño moderno de forma modular. En solo seis semanas, se fabricaron los puentes y se completó la instalación para volver a conectar a los residentes de toda la isla. Se usaron más de 850 toneladas métricas de acero de EE. UU. para crear más de 950 pies de puente. El diseño del puente Liberty ha sido rigurosamente probado para garantizar la durabilidad y la longevidad.

La esperanza fue restaurada. La vida está volviendo a la normalidad. U.S. Bridge se compromete a fortalecer la infraestructura mediante la creación y el refuerzo de puentes que mantengan los bienes y servicios en movimiento de manera eficiente. El objetivo principal de la compañía en Puerto Rico es ayudar a las personas afectadas por el huracán para que la vida pueda volver a la normalidad lo más rápido posible.

U.S. Bridge es una compañía con sede en Ohio que cuenta con décadas de experiencia en diseño, ingeniería, fabricación y construcción de puentes. Investigue más acerca de cómo la compañía está cambiando y fortaleciendo los Estados Unidos y la infraestructura mundial, un puente a la vez.

Get a free quote after devastation strikes

We want to reiterate, we are here to help. Please fill out a free quote if you live in an area where devastation has done damage to bridges. We can partner with you to help.

What Is Accelerated Bridge Construction?

What Is Accelerated Bridge Construction?

Bridges have become the key focus of U.S. infrastructure improvement. This work requires innovative building techniques and advancements in technology to ensure cost effective and efficient updates. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is one such technique.  Below we’ll define ABC and outline some of the benefits to using it over traditional bridge construction.

What is Accelerated Bridge Construction?

Using Accelerated Bridge Construction on a job means constructing bridge components off-site and then transporting them to the work site for installation. This off-site work allows for quicker project completion. Also, this faster completion time reduces the amount of disruption to surrounding areas during construction.

What are the Benefits of Accelerated Bridge Construction?

On top of reducing construction time and minimizing impact on the surrounding areas, ABC can also:

  • Reduce total project delivery time
  • Increase work-zone safety for the public
  • Decrease weather-related work delays

Why Use Accelerated Bridge Construction?

First, Accelerated Bridge Construction has the capability to significantly reduce the length of time needed to rehab the approximately 150,000 bridges that require maintenance. In addition to completing jobs faster, this technique decreases costly lane closures and detours, which often eat up a project’s budget and sometimes end up costing more than the project itself.

What are the Roadblocks to Implementing ABC?

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to using ABC as a preferred bridge construction method is the change in traditional processes. Consequently, businesses and departments will need to adjust the way they manage these projects; instead, they must adopt project planning tools that can better account for tracking and managing off-site fabrication of bridge elements. As a result, additional training may be needed to appreciate all the benefits of ABC.

U.S. Bridge, a leading fabricator of steel bridges throughout the U.S., is proud to employ ABC in its bridge building process. Recently, U.S. Bridge witnessed the benefits of ABC first hand when they completed a bridge installation project in 26 days using an SPS Bridge with modular design elements. For this project, bridge components were built off-site and transported to the location for installation, similar to ABC.

If you’d like to know more about Accelerated Bridge Construction, please contact us today for a free quote. U.S. Bridge is committed to using the latest bridge construction techniques while improving the U.S. infrastructure.