Key Design Considerations for Structural Steel Bridges
Steel is a versatile material that has been used to build bridges for over a century. They are ideal for several applications due to their durability, sturdiness, and reliability and are commonly used for road and railway projects. Moreover, they offer many benefits, including high strength-to-weight ratios, long spans, and various design options.
This post will review some of the most significant factors to consider while constructing a steel bridge.
Factors To Consider When Designing Steel Bridges
The following are the things to keep in mind when designing structural steel bridges:
Loads and Load Combinations
Loads are the forces that act on a bridge. Live loads are vehicles and other moving loads, while dead loads are the bridge structure. On the other hand, wind, seismic, and temperature loads are environmental loads. These combinations must be considered during the design process to ensure the bridge can safely handle them.
Structural Analysis
Structural analysis determines the behavior and performance of a bridge under various loads and load combinations. It considers different factors, including the structural system, material properties, geometric dimensions, and boundary conditions.
Redundancy
Redundancy involves providing additional structural members or elements to maintain the bridge’s integrity, even if one or more parts fail. Thus, a redundant design ensures the bridge’s safety, even in unforeseen events.
Limit State
Limit states are the conditions beyond which a structure can no longer perform its intended function. The limit-state design approach aims to prevent these conditions by ensuring the structure remains within safe limits under all loading conditions.
Design for Constructability
A well-designed bridge should consider constructability, reducing the complexity of the construction process and ensuring that it can be completed within budget and on time.
Design for Fatigue
Structural steel bridge designers must consider fatigue, especially for high-traffic bridges. Fatigue occurs when a material weakens and fails after repeated loading and unloading cycles.
Substructure Design
Substructure design refers to the bridge’s supporting components, such as piers, abutments, and foundations. It must maintain these components and maintain the bridge’s weight and load.
Splice Design
Splices are critical components of steel bridges, joining individual steel members together to create the overall bridge structure. It will ensure the connection is strong enough to resist various loads and combinations.
Bearing Design
Bearing design is essential in steel bridges, as it supports the bridge’s superstructure and transfers loads to the substructure. It must consider the loads the bridge will carry, the type of bridge, and its location. The most common types of bearings used in steel bridges are as follows:
- Elastomeric bearings: commonly used in short and medium-span bridges
- Pot bearings: preferred for long-span bridges
- Spherical bearings: mostly used in curved bridges
The bearing design must also consider the bridge’s movement due to expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes.
Bridge Deck Design
A bridge deck is critical in structural steel bridge design because it carries traffic loads and provides a stable surface for vehicles. In addition, it must consider factors such as the type of deck material used to ensure safety and longevity.
Load Rating
The bridge’s strength and safety depend on its ability to carry loads and withstand forces, and a bridge’s load rating determines its maximum load-carrying capacity. Thus, it calculates the safe weight limit for vehicles and other loads crossing the bridge.
Corrosion Protection
Moisture, salt, and chemicals can corrode steel bridges over time. Therefore, steel bridges must be designed and built with corrosion protection in mind to ensure their long-term durability, safety, and sustainability.
Build Durable Bridges With High-Quality Steel From Infra-Metals!
As one of the biggest steel service centers in the US, Infra-Metals offers an extensive selection of products and services to meet your needs. Our centers are designed to cater to each region’s unique demands. We are committed to delivering high-quality services that are both efficient and cost-effective!
Contact us or request a quote today for your next steel bridge project.
How To Get the Right Solar Steel Panel Mounting Structures
As more individuals seek alternative energy sources, the demand for solar electricity is expanding. One of the critical components of a solar energy system is the mounting structure. Solar panel mounting systems give solar panels the support they need to catch sunlight and convert it into usable energy.
This post will discuss crucial factors when selecting the most suitable solar steel panel mounting structure for your business.
Types of Solar Steel Panel Mounting Structures
Different types of mounting structures offer various characteristics, so selecting one that fits your needs is important. Here are the most common types:
- Ground-Mounted: These solar panels are typically placed on the ground, in a field, or large open spaces. They are supported by a frame or mounting mechanism that ensures they remain firmly in place even in inclement weather.
- Rooftop: Rooftop solar panels are an excellent solution for buildings with limited ground space. These are positioned on the building’s roof using a specialized mounting technique.
- Pole-Mounted: Pole-mounted solar panels can be a great option in areas where rooftop and ground space are both limited. These systems may be deployed in several places around the facility and are mounted on one or more poles.
- Floating: Solar panels built on bodies of water — such as reservoirs, ponds, or lakes — provide a unique chance to create renewable energy. The floating platform on which these panels are installed has many advantages, including lowering water evaporation and improving water quality.
Materials Used in Solar Steel Panel Mounting Structures
There are several materials used in mounting structures for solar products, including the following:
- Cold-Formed Steel (CFS): This material has high strength, a long lifespan, and affordability. It is frequently used for solar panel systems that are roof-mounted and ground-mounted.
- Aluminum: Aluminum is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant material easily molded to meet specific designs.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant material that can survive seawater exposure. Thus, it is frequently utilized for solar steel panel mounting structures in coastal locations.
- Galvanized Steel: This material has been zinc-coated to prevent rust and corrosion, making it ideal for places with tough weather conditions.
Structures for mounting solar panels are best made of CFS. This is a popular choice because of its strength and low cost. Further, it can assist in cutting installation costs while assuring the system’s long-term endurance and dependability. Still, selecting the material that best meets your project’s unique requirements is most important.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Solar Steel Panel Mounting Structures
Choosing the right panel mounting structure requires careful consideration of various factors, such as:
Location and Geography
The location and geography of a solar project can considerably influence the mounting structure chosen. For example, if the site is on a steep slope, a pole-mounted structure may be preferable over a ground-mounted system.
Another key factor to consider is soil type, as some soils may only be able to handle the weight of a ground-mounted system with additional foundation work. Shade from trees or other objects near the location can further restrict the amount of energy produced by the panels.
Wind and Snow Loads
The construction must be built to handle the area’s projected wind and snow loads. Failure to do so may cause damage to the panels or the building itself, potentially resulting in costly repairs or replacements.
Solar Panel Size and Orientation
The appropriate angle and orientation of the panels must be set to optimize energy production while meeting size and orientation specifications. For example, if the location has a southern exposure, the panels should be positioned to face south. Hence, the angle of the panels should be adjusted to capture as much sunlight as possible.
Budget and Cost-Effectiveness
It is important to weigh the advantages of the mounting structure against its cost. For instance, consider the long-term savings obtained by selecting a high-quality, long-lasting mounting framework.
Sustainability and Environmental Factors
Select a structure that has a minimal environmental impact and is built of environmentally friendly materials. Furthermore, it should be constructed to be easily dismantled and recycled at the end of its life.
Infra-Metals: Your Go-To Source for Steel Solar Panel Mounts!
At Infra-Metals, we are your one-stop shop for all your structural carbon steel needs! We have streamlined materials and processing capabilities, allowing us to provide you with the best materials and components for your application. Moreover, our extensive inventory enables us to offer multiple types of products on short notice.
Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help you. You may also request a quote today to work with us on your next custom solar panel mounting project!
Eric Gray – Traffic Coordinator
Eric Gray is the Traffic Coordinator in Marseilles, IL.
Eric, formerly a bartender from Ottawa, IL., decided to look into job opportunities and found out about Infra-Metals through a family friend. An interview was scheduled with the operations manager and he was hired to work as a crane operator on 2nd shift in 2006. Eric notes that his training was kind of touch and go in those days, yet he learned how to master the cranes and keep up with the fast paced environment of loading trucks and getting them out the door. Fast-forward to 2015 where Eric applied to be 2nd shift supervisor. There we several applicants at the time but Eric ended up landing the spot.
“I liked the challenge. I have good relationships with the shift guys and feel like there was a strong camaraderie that was formed with a lot of them.”
Eric worked closely with operations, traffic and even sales to ensure loads were completed and ready for delivery. He would find himself filling in for the processing supervisor which allowed him to learn the software system better. Many of these skills would ultimately help prepare him for his next role.
Career Growth
In January of 2018, Eric became the 2nd shift traffic coordinator. Working in the traffic department interacts with almost every department and is often times the busiest office during the work day. “I was at that point that I wanted a new challenge.”
In the traffic department, the workload changes daily from scheduling picks in the shop, to working with sales, to routing and delivery logistics. “Every day is different. When I walk through the door, the day always has something new to offer. I review the board and piece the puzzle together for that day’s deliveries.” He also handles the driver staff and ensures their routes are optimized for on-time delivery. Since his early days in the shop, Eric has seen a lot of growth at the Central Division, most notably the emphasis on safety.
“Everyone works together towards the same goals. We’re all moving together in the same direction.”
Hobbies
Eric enjoys running. He has competed in 3 full marathons, 8 half marathons and a spartan race. He is also a season ticket holder for the Chicago Bears. When not competing in marathons, running or rooting for the Monsters of the Midway, he cheers on his kids at their sporting events and band concerts.
Eric continues to keep his sights on the future and one day aspires to fulfill a management role at Infra-Metals. Congratulations Eric on a long career with us! You have been an integral part of the team and continue to add to the success of the Central Division and Infra-Metals as a whole!