New Publication Addresses Steel Bridge Myths and Realities

Steel Bridge Construction: Myths and Realities, an updated fact-rich publication that addresses a wide range of topics about steel bridges, is now available through a joint effort between AISI, the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA). For example, did you know that modular prefabricated short-span steel bridges can be permanent structures? Or that bridge joints are not a prerequisite for steel bridges? Or that advanced high-performance, EPA-approved steel bridge coatings can last more than 25 years? These topics and others are highlighted in the free publication.

Myths and Realities dispels top myths and misperceptions about the viability of steel in bridge design and construction for a wide range of bridge types. The 25-page report references expert articles and studies from organizations including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), as well as the Strategic Highway Research Program, professional associations, industry analysts and academia.

For example, the misperception that the life expectancy of a steel bridge is shorter than alternative materials is hit head on with facts to the contrary. A 1992 study by Lehigh University analyzed the deterioration rates of the 577,000 bridges listed in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and concluded that superstructure material type—steel, concrete or other material—was not an indicator of the life expectancy of a bridge. Instead, life expectancy is highly dependent on a bridge's age and average daily traffic.

The report also includes myth-busting analysis about topics such as the reality of maintenance-free bridges (regardless of material), cost competitiveness of simple-span bridges less than 140 feet in length, the viability of weathering steel, the value of jointless bridge decks, and the availability of simple, more economical bridge bearings.

To download a PDF version of the new AISI Steel Bridge Construction: Myths and Realities report, please click here. For more information, contact Megan McCrady.