BRIDGES MADE EASY : "SIMPLE" CONSTRUCTION GENERATES FABRICATION AND CONSTRUCTION SAVINGS

A two-span research bridge over I-680 in Omaha, Nebraska uses a new trend in steel bridge construction, called simple for dead, continuous for live load. Designers specify steel girders in simple-span configuration. Later, the contractor connects them with a lateral concrete diaphragm at the pier to form continuous girders. The result is considerable fabrication and construction savings compared with conventional continuous girder construction. Roughly 23 cents per pound for the I-680 research bridge.