At Del Zotto Products, it’s no secret that we love concrete. This revolutionary material and forms of it have been around since the time of the ancient Romans, and it is still widely used in engineering and construction today. In bridge construction, concrete is the preferred material of choice because of its strength and stability. Precast bridge girders decrease construction time and costs, increase safety and durability and enhance aesthetic appeal.
Types of Precast Bridge Girders
Precast bridge girders are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The three most prevalent types of precast girders are pretensioned girders, post-tensioned girders and segmental girders. Each type of girder is meant to span a particular distance. For example, pretensioned girders are ideal for spanning 30 to 180 feet; post-tensioned, 120 to 250 feet; and segmental, 250 to 400 feet. Shapes of precast bridge girders include the standard “I,” bulb-tee, bath tub, wide-flange, voided, box, delta and double T. No matter what shape or style you need, you’re sure to find a girder than can support your bridge.
For many years, precast bridge girders weren’t as widely used due to their limited flexibility. They could only be used to support and enhance the construction of straight bridges. Now, with significant improvements to precast technology, these girders can support almost any bridge, whether curved or straight.
Engineering and construction have come a long way since ancient Rome. Precast concrete has also experienced some exciting developments, including its use in bridge girders. We are anxious to see what the future of precast concrete looks like!
How do you think precast concrete will be used with bridges in years to come? Leave a comment for us below, or share your thoughts with us on social media. We’d love to hear from you!