Tag Archive for: prefabricated bridges

Prefabricated Bridges: When and Why to Use Them

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Prefabricated Bridge

Many decisions are made when it comes to new bridge construction, one of those is the choice of a prefabricated bridge or built on-site construction. How do you know which one works best for your project? Here’s a guide to help you understand prefabricated bridges and when to use them.

What are Prefabricated Bridges?

Prefabricated bridges are built in a separate location, then transported to the construction site for installation. They are a popular form of accelerated bridge construction with their own benefits and considerations.

With U.S. Bridge, our Bridge Kits are a solution for the time-constrained and budget-focused bridge construction projects. We engineer, design, manufacture, and galvanize every piece of the bridge. After each part is ready, we send it to the construction site along with a dedicated member of the U.S. Bridge team to oversee the construction.

Why Use a Prefabricated Bridge?

The first benefit of prefabricated bridges is their quick assembly rate. Unlike building on-site, prefabricated bridges are essentially already made just in separate pieces that are later connected on site. Another advantage is that they are less susceptible to weather delays due to their short assembly time, which decreases the disruption to traffic.

Moreover, prefabricated construction is more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable in comparison to building on site. As construction takes place within a factory, extra materials are recycled in-house for the next project.

Despite popular belief, modular construction is more affordable and allows flexibility to construction teams. The financial savings not only stem from a shorter construction time but it is also due to the discounts prefabricated construction receives from bulk orders.

In addition, as each component of the bridge is built in a controlled environment, our team ensures the quality of the materials. Furthermore, in-door construction provides a safer setting by decreasing workers’ exposure to open traffic.

When to Use Prefabricated Bridges

The flexibility of prefabricated bridges allows them to be used in various situations. Accelerated construction requires fewer trucks of equipment and materials which is beneficial for remote locations or uneven topography. For instance, prefabricated bridges are often used in emergency situations due to the ease of assembling and disassembling them.

Additionally, prefabricated bridges will benefit your project if your team doesn’t have much experience in bridge construction, as U.S. Bridge sends a member of our team to oversee the construction.

Shorter Construction Time

Due to its accelerated assembly rate, prefabricated bridges are ideal for projects that require temporary construction or projects that are concerned with traffic delays. This is especially the case with U.S. Bridge, as our team can ensure the bridge is built correctly from the start.

If on-site construction time needs to be shorter, then a prefabricated bridge is the best choice. Because of assistance from U.S. Bridge, the bridge construction can be much more efficient and smooth.

Materials for Prefabricated Bridges

Steel and concrete are perhaps the most popular form of prefabricated bridges. The material and the environment of the bridge dictates the design of the bridge. Other components of your bridge project will determine if prefabricated bridges are right for you.

U.S. Bridge: Experts in Prefabricated Bridge Construction

With over 80 years in the bridge construction industry, we’ve engineered and built over 10,000 bridges worldwide. Prefabricated bridge constructions make up a good portion of those constructions. Here at U.S. Bridge, we are dedicated to our customers and the construction of their bridges.

All of our prefabricated Bridge Kits are custom-designed, come with our hands-on expertise in bridge construction, and are built to fit your bridge project needs and budget. Contact us today and let’s talk about how we can make your bridge project a long-lasting success.

The Importance of Bridge Building Scheduling

The Importance of Bridge Building Scheduling

Did you know that some places in the United States and around the globe impose certain restraints when it comes to bridge building? For example, Mission Bay area of San Diego does not allow bridge construction from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That is nearly three months of no construction! This poses many issues, as it restricts bridge developers to work within a specific time. Here’s why bridge building scheduling is of utmost importance.

Establishing a Bridge Construction Schedule

It can be very frustrating when a company is ready to carry on with construction to then be forced to halt for a period of time. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can also be costly. So, what can bridge developers do to avoid these moratoriums? Have an experienced project manager on the team to develop detailed schedules that consider local and national bridge construction issues and regulations.

Sequence of the Workflow

Bridge building scheduling needs to cover all aspects of the project including unexpected events. The schedule should focus on two main things: the “when” and “how” the construction will be carried out.

While the “when” is crucial in determining the timeframe of the project completion, the “how” is sometimes neglected. When there is not a complete plan for the “how,” issues arise. For instance, delivery problems, missing equipment, or incorrect staffing can slow construction. Unfortunately, this results in lower profits on the impacted jobs and harms the reputations of contractors who don’t plan for delays.

Benefits of Scheduling

It is needless to say that organization brings benefits. However, for big projects such as bridge building, scheduling has an ever bigger impact and benefits.

  • The team understands all the project details and how they need to come together
  • It prepares the team to prevent unexpected events
  • It encourages problem-solving before they happen
  • Solid scheduling identifies the most efficient and cost-effective work sequencing
  • It improves planning for labor, tools, supplies, and equipment
  • It encourages communication among all parties involved in the project
  • Developers can prepare for or prevent seasonal issues (e.g. closures, restrictions, weather)

The U.S. Bridge Building Process

U.S. Bridge follows a meticulous schedule to execute every bridge project. Additionally, we have a bridge building process that provides a smooth experience for clients. Choose to partner with us for your next steel bridge project and see it come through in a timely manner. Contact us today and we will walk you through the steps to get you started.

Scaling Down Steel Bridge Construction Time

Scaling Down Steel Bridge Construction Time

Efficient steel bridge construction includes high quality engineering and manufacturing of the structure. This is especially true for replacing aging and deteriorating infrastructure. So, an important component that sets bridge companies apart is the bridge design that should allow for smooth assembly. At U.S. Bridge we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled services to communities in the United States as well as globally. And we do this by implementing an engineering and manufacturing process that leads to quicker steel bridge construction.

Replacing Infrastructure

When it comes to replacing decaying infrastructure, there are a lot of factors that companies consider. However, one of the main components that plays an important role is the time for construction. So, in order to accomplish that, companies follow techniques that accelerate the bridge or infrastructure construction to minimize traffic disruptions. These techniques have great value, as they benefit the project completion.

Design / Build

The first technique that contributes to scaling down steel bridge construction is the design and build of the structure. Normally, the bridge design and construction occur in two separate phases and are the responsibility of two different entities. However, design/build takes care of both simultaneously and is done by one entity.

Since design and construction somewhat overlap, the project completion time decreases. The design and construction personnel can work together and effectively apply engineering, constructibility, and fast construction techniques to the project. Also, the resulting time savings result in lower overall costs.

Bridge Prefabrication

There are many advantages to bridge prefabrication. This step offers opportunities for bridge designers to scale down the steel bridge construction time significantly. Moreover, it improves the safety of workers, reduces environmental impact, and cuts costs. Prefabricated bridges are convenient and have become a preference in infrastructure. They offer:

  • Easy upkeep
  • Better and quicker assembly
  • Smooth disassembly

At U.S. Bridge, we have been using prefabricated bridges since 1936. Incorporating steel bridge prefabrication has enabled our company to expand and complete projects more efficiently.

Incremental Launching

As the name suggests it, this technique allows construction to be done in parts. Also, this is especially useful when traffic, environmental or site conditions restrict the size and amount of construction equipment permitted.

The U.S. Bridge Way

At U.S. Bridge we use the best techniques to expedite steel bridge construction and still deliver high-quality structures that will be long-lasting. A bridge company that is family-owned, we design and build bridges that can handle vehicle loads of up to 90,000 lbs. or additional weight as necessary. Moreover, our engineers are able to meet the different safety and design requirements of various regulatory entities, like departments of transportation. So, get a quote online today and get your bridge project started with us and experience the U.S. Bridge way.

Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel vs. Weathering Steel: What’s The Right Choice?

Hot Dip Galvanized Steel Vs. Weathering Steel What's The Right Choice

Steel has long played a key role in American construction efforts. Not only is steel lighter in weight than many other building materials on the market, but it also earns points for durability, affordability, and environmental friendliness. Still, bridge builders may struggle with whether to use more traditional weathering steel or increasingly popular hot-dip galvanized steel. Read on to discover how these options stack up.Hot Dip Galvanized Steel Vs. Weathering Steel What's The Right Choice

Benefits and Drawbacks of Weathering Steel

Long a favorite among bridge builders, weathering steel offers numerous advantages over other building types. Strong and attractive, this material rusts in a way that provides protection against the elements. Builders refer to this as “useful corrosion.”

Still, the news about weathering steel isn’t all positive. Progressively corroding, weathering steel can deteriorate faster if moisture is present. To compensate for this loss of mass and strength, builders may need to use thicker sections of steel from the start. Additionally, salt air and humidity can damage weathering steel, resulting in accelerated corrosion.

Benefits of Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel

Formed by dipping bare steel in molten zinc, hot-dip galvanized steel is a popular choice in bridge construction. Featuring the strength of weathering steel, hot-dip galvanized steel offers additional benefits, too. Barrier and cathodic protection mean that this material resists corrosion. As a result, this option requires less long-term maintenance than weathering steel. Additionally, hot-dip galvanized steel maintains its structure despite exposure to UV rays, snow, water, and soil and is 100 percent recyclable.

Trust U.S. Bridge With All Your Building Needs

As a bridge building leader, U.S. Bridge brings more than 80 years of engineering and manufacturing expertise to the table. We’re passionate about constructing bridges that withstand time and the elements while making use of materials that are safe for the environment. Ready to learn more about our products and services? Call our steel bridge experts today or contact us online for info.

 

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.

Myths: Modular Prefabricated Short-Span Steel Bridges Are Only Temporary Structures

Myths: Modular Prefabricated Short-Span Steel Bridges Are Only Temporary Structures

Modular, prefabricated steel bridges are often considered temporary structures. Using modular design and building bridges onsite has often been considered a more efficient building method, but a less stable one. However, after meeting all the permanence standards set by the AASHTO, the ASTM and the AWS, it was determined that pre-fab short span steel bridges can be considered permanent structures.

Standards for Permanence

Most often, the biggest concern facing modular bridges and permanence, relates to how they are constructed. Bridge parts must be assembled onsite, resulting in welding in possibly less than ideal conditions. For short span steel bridges, this concern is absolved because the welding is all done in a shop, under favorable conditions. This reduces the risk of introduced environmental factors during the welding process, and ensures the pre-fab bridge will withstand the rigors of time and weather.

Myth-Busting Short Span Steel Bridges

The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) reports the bridge industry is generally moving toward a modular bridge design. Due to the ease of assembly and the efficiency with which they can be built, pre-fab bridges make more sense. Timing is especially important regarding bridge construction since more than a quarter of all bridges across the United States have been deemed as “structurally deficient” or “functionally obsolete.” Also, using steel as the primary material for short span bridges brings a host of benefits including:

  • Consistent Quality
    Steel production is held to high standards and consistently meets quality requirements.
  • Sustainability
    Almost 93% of all steel is made from scrap steel.
  • American-made
    Structural steel is made in America, providing jobs to American workers and boosting the economy.
  • Quick fabrication and Installation
    Steel can be manufactured fairly quickly. This accelerates the construction timeline and decreases disruption to the surrounding areas.

To find out more about short-span steel bridges and how permanent they are, please contact us at U.S. Bridge today. Our expert team of engineers and builders are more than happy to discuss the benefits and strengths of modular bridge construction with you.