Fabricated members and connections for wholesale bridge orders
Bridge girders, cross-frames, bracing and connection plates are fabricated to the project drawings. We prepare the member geometry, shop joints and protective finish for the specified bridge package, with piece marks for delivery and erection sequencing.
| Component group | Fabrication scope | Details that define the order |
|---|---|---|
| Main members | Fabricated girder or truss components | Member marks, section geometry, length, camber and splice locations |
| Cross-frames and bracing | Transverse frames, diaphragms and bracing pieces | Bridge skew, connection orientation and mating member references |
| Connection steel | Splice plates, gusset plates, stiffeners and brackets | Plate thickness, hole pattern, weld detail and piece quantity |
| Protective finish | Painted components or hot-dip galvanizing | Component finish, joint-surface treatment and coating specification |
| Shipment package | Marked steel pieces and associated connection items | Shipping groups, piece count, mass and dispatch destination |
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Bridge members are ordered by their drawing geometry rather than a universal span model. A girder schedule defines the web and flange dimensions, member length, stiffeners and field-splice positions. Cross-frame schedules also identify the skew and the side of the member where each connection belongs.
The shipping segment has its own length, connection plates and mating member marks. Camber, sweep and the splice geometry belong on the fabrication drawings so the shop and field crews work from the same member shape.
Skewed framing creates left- and right-hand connection details. Hole positions, attachment faces and cross-frame marks distinguish pieces that can look similar in a bundle but occupy different bridge locations.
Our structural material range includes ASTM A36 and A572 sections. A bridge drawing that calls for ASTM A709 keeps that exact designation, grade and test requirements in the fabrication order. A572 Grade 50 and A709 Grade 50 share a minimum yield-strength level, but the bridge specification adds its own material and toughness requirements.
| Material specification | Minimum yield (ksi) | Minimum yield (MPa) | Material selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A572 Grade 50 | 50 | 345 | Structural sections and plates when this grade is specified |
| ASTM A709 Grade 36 | 36 | 250 | Bridge material with the project-required acceptance scope |
| ASTM A709 Grade 50 | 50 | 345 | Bridge material with the project-required acceptance scope |
| ASTM A709 Grade 50W | 50 | 345 | Weathering bridge material with enhanced atmospheric corrosion resistance |
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The table gives specified material strength levels, not bridge load ratings. Component dimensions, material edition and required toughness records follow the bridge specification.
Webs, flanges and stiffeners can carry different plate thicknesses and material callouts in the same girder. The plate schedule identifies the grade and thickness for each part, keeping those purchasing lines separate when a member combines more than one specification.
A709 is priced to the exact project callout. Grade, product form, tension-member requirements and the applicable toughness zone are part of that material purchase; a same-strength structural grade is not used as an automatic substitution.
Painted steelwork is quoted to the required surface preparation, primer, intermediate coat and topcoat. The drawing and coating specification identify areas for shop coating, field touch-up and any surfaces that must remain free of the general paint system.
Galvanizing is a separate finish route for the components specified for it. Fabrication details include venting and drainage where enclosed sections are galvanized. The piece geometry and connection surfaces are reviewed with the galvanizing scope before that route enters production.
Slip-critical joint contact surfaces follow the connection specification. Their treatment is kept separate from the appearance coat on the surrounding member.
Cut plates, webs, flanges and stiffeners form the drawing-defined member. Weld size, groove preparation and the welding code are identified by joint; the fabrication plan uses the required procedure and inspection route for those welds.
Field-splice components include their mating plates and hole layout. Bolt size, grade, hole type and joint category remain separate order details. Fit-up or check assembly is scheduled where the contract requires it.
Member marks and released drawing revisions follow every fabricated piece. Revised splices or cross-frames are carried through the connected plates and members together.
Contractors can source main members and secondary steel as one coordinated schedule. Separate lines for cross-frames, stiffeners and field-splice components make the fabrication scope clear before the project moves to shipment.
A replacement lot can cover selected members, repair plates or connection components. Existing interfaces and the engineer-issued replacement details determine the geometry; the new steel is fabricated to those details.
Drawing-based steelwork also serves access crossings and private-site bridge projects. The component order identifies the supporting members and connections, while deck, railing and site work keep their own supply scopes.
The dimensional record covers the ordered geometry: section dimensions, length, camber, sweep and the locations of connection holes. Mating splice and cross-frame details receive the checks identified in the inspection plan.
For a contract specifying AASHTO/AWS D1.5, the weld schedule identifies the required procedures, qualifications and examination scope. Visual inspection and specified nondestructive testing remain tied to the individual joints and their acceptance criteria.
Material records link the ordered grade and heat to the fabricated component marks. Required toughness results accompany the relevant material lot.
Finish records identify the coating route and required acceptance checks. The dispatch list links each piece mark to its quantity and shipment group so the receiving team can locate the steel for the next assembly stage.
Bridge prices itemize main members, secondary steel, connection components, fabrication and finish. Piece quantities and the agreed weight basis accompany the required inspection and shipment terms.
Piece length, width, height and mass determine the transport route and unloading arrangement. Shipping splices, lifting points and support locations are coordinated with the released member drawings before packing.
Girder segments travel on supports positioned for the shipping piece. Splice plates are packed in their mating sets, and cross-frames are grouped by bridge location. Contact protection keeps finished surfaces apart; the dispatch list links each shipment group to its piece marks.
The project quote states the fabrication lot, production schedule, shipment terms and document scope for the requested destination.
Yes. Keep the drawing dimensions in their original units, including fractional inches and feet. The fabrication documents identify the governing units; material dimensions are not changed simply to round a conversion.
Pricing can start from a tender drawing or component schedule with its revision identified. Production uses the approved fabrication documents; changes after the quoted revision are reviewed for material, fabrication and shipment impact.
Weight alone does not describe the work in a bridge package. The comparison also needs the number of pieces, joint details, plate processing, finish, inspection scope and shipment basis. Those items distinguish a material price from a fabricated component price.
The contract’s domestic-content and approved-source requirements determine eligibility. Our quote identifies China-origin supply; it is not presented as US-produced steel for a contract requiring domestic material.
They are separate supply items unless listed in the accepted quotation. The bridge steelwork package identifies the main members, cross-frames, bracing and connection components fabricated to the project drawings.
Send your bridge component drawings or member schedule, quantity, required material and finish, and delivery destination. We will return the fabrication scope, line-item price basis, required records and shipment terms.