A MODULAR STEEL FREEWAY BRIDGE - DESIGN CONCEPT AND EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE

A modular multilane steel freeway bridge has been constructed from sur plus railroad flatcar decks. It can be erected on-site in a few days' time. It has been built and static-load tested for emergency freeway b ridge repair, This inexpensive modular bridge may also have broad appl ication around the world for low-cost bridges in areas where funds are limited. On the basis of static-load testing performed by the Califor nia Department of Transportation and computer dynamic analysis, this s imple modular-design concept has the potential of providing a strong b ridge that can withstand the severe aftershocks expected immediately a fter a major earthquake.