Steel Box Girder Bridges

Abstract

The steel box girder bridge, because of its structural efficiency and aesthetics, has become increasingly popular as a bridge type. Because of four unfortunate erection accidents of box girder bridges in Austria, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany, this type of structure has received much recent attention. However, because of this attention, the behavior of steel box girder bridges is perhaps better understood than any other bridge type through extensive testing and improved mathematical models for use with computers. As a result of the United Kingdom investigations into the collapse of the Milford Haven and West Gate bridges, this will be the first long span bridge type with standard specifications covering its design and construction. The aerodynamically stable slender steel box girder bridge with cable stays will challenge the suspension bridge for the longest spans and may win. The steel box girder will be seen more commonly because of its aesthetics and economy in shorter spans as well, especially on horizontally curved alignment.