Steel Arched Bridge per AASHTO LRFD and AS 5100 Arch Design Standards

A steel arched bridge is a type of bridge that uses arch ribs as the main load-bearing structure, transferring loads to the abutment foundations at both ends through compression in the arch ribs. It is constructed with high-strength steel for the arch ribs, hangers (or struts), and the bridge deck system. While achieving the capability of long spans, it also presents an elegant curved shape, making it an ideal choice for highways, railways, and pedestrian landscape bridges.

1.Application Scenario

2.Product Highlights

ü Large span capacity: The economic span range is 60–200 meters, and it can be extended to more than 300 meters by truss rib or box arch ribs.

ü Iconic aesthetics: The arched rib arc becomes the visual focal point, and with the paint and night lighting, it creates a unique regional landmark.

ü High structural efficiency: the arch rib is mainly under pressure, giving full play to the compressive strength of the steel, and the material utilization rate is high.

ü Construction flexibility: bracket method, cantilever assembly method, rotation construction method or whole hole hoisting method can be selected to adapt to different site conditions.

ü Excellent clearance under the bridge: no pier obstruction, providing a wide view of navigation or driving.

3.Product materials

l Arch ribs: Welded box section or truss section, material S355J2 N / S460 (European standard) or ASTM A572 Gr.50 / A709 Gr.50 (US standard) or AS/NZS 3678 Grade 400 (Australian standard)

l Boom/tie rod: high-strength steel wire bundle or solid steel tie rod with cold-cast anchor or adjustable anchor head

l Bridge deck system: orthotropic steel deck or steel-concrete composite beam

l Connectors: High strength bolts (ISO 10.9 / ASTM A325 / AS 1252) and fully penetrated welded joints

l Anti-corrosion system: hot-dip galvanizing (ISO 1461 / ASTM A123 / AS 4680) or metal spraying topcoat system with closed cavity anti-corrosion

Ø Arch rib line: parabola, arc or catenary line, selected according to load distribution and aesthetic needs.

Ø Structural system:

² Upper bearing type: The bridge deck is located above the vault, and the arch seat bears the thrust, which is suitable for good foundations.

² Medium-bearing type: The bridge deck is located in the middle of the arch rib, taking into account the spanning ability and building height control.

² Underbearing type (tie arch): Tie rod balances horizontal thrust, suitable for soft soil foundations or near existing structures.

Ø Stability control: in-plane and out-of-plane buckling analysis, setting lateral connections and K-braces to ensure lateral stability.

Ø Fatigue design: The key nodes such as the anchor area at the upper end of the boom and the arch rib splicing weld are calculated according to the specifications.

5.Core strengths

⭐Excellent leapfrogging ability:Compared with beam bridges, steel arch bridges can achieve a larger span with the same amount of materials, avoid piers in the river, and reduce water resistance and ecological impact.

⭐The shape is landmark:The arch rib arc naturally has visual impact, enhancing the social benefits and regional image of the project.

⭐High structural redundancy:Multiple force transmission paths (multiple booms/columns), local component failure will not lead to overall collapse, superior safety performance.

⭐Mature construction plan:Mature technologies such as bracketless cantilever assembly and swivel construction can cross existing roads, railways or navigable rivers without interrupting operations.

⭐The cost of the whole life is controllable:steel can be recycled; The use of long-lasting anti-corrosion system (hot-dip galvanized sealing coating) can achieve no major repair for more than 50 years.

6.Regional Standard

7.Why choose us

Choosing our steel arched bridge means you are choosing a team that highly integrates engineering rationality with architectural aesthetics. We don't just deliver steel structures—we deliver rigorously calculated arch rib profiles, traceable weld quality, multiple construction condition simulations that match the actual site, and a compliance document package fully aligned with local review requirements (EU standard CE technical documents, US standard AASHTO load calculations, Australian standard AS 5100 design calculations).

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