Custom Fabricated AASHTO LRFD Steel Arch Bridge for Heavy-Duty Highway Infrastructure

The Custom Fabricated AASHTO LRFD Steel Arch Bridge is a heavy-duty, shop-built superstructure for North American and global projects adopting American engineering standards. Arch ribs function as main load-bearing members, transferring loads through compression to maximize steel performance. Designed to AASHTO LRFD and welded according to AWS D1.5M, every structure is fully customized. All closed-box arch ribs are prefabricated in ISO-certified workshops and pre-assembled before shipment to guarantee fitting accuracy and avoid on-site rework.
 

 

AASHTO LRFD is the mandatory design specification for U.S. federal highway bridges. Our design applies the Load and Resistance Factor Design method for comprehensive structural verification. It adopts HL-93 live load as required by AASHTO. Steel component design follows Section 6 of AASHTO LRFD covering bending, shear, combined load effects and fatigue assessment. Seismic design follows relevant LRFD clauses. Engineers complete calculations for strength, service, fatigue and extreme event limit states to achieve a 75–100+ year design life with routine maintenance.
 

All welding complies with AWS D1.5M/D1.5 Bridge Welding Code, the official standard for steel bridge fabrication jointly released by AWS and AASHTO. It imposes stricter welder qualification and inspection requirements than general structural welding standards. Fracture-critical members require 100% ultrasonic testing for full penetration butt welds. All welders hold valid AWS certificates, and certified inspectors oversee production. Supplementary MT and PT testing will be implemented on related weld areas as needed.
 

Arch ribs utilize closed-box sections with internal stiffeners, the preferred option for high-performance steel arch bridges. This structure delivers outstanding torsional rigidity to withstand eccentric loads and skewed layouts. It boasts strong buckling resistance, ideal for unbraced arch designs. The favorable strength-to-weight ratio enables longer spans. Internal stiffeners prevent local buckling and optimize load distribution. Sealed inner surfaces reduce corrosion and maintenance costs, and the sleek shape fits landmark highway and river-crossing projects.
 

All bridge modules are manufactured in ISO-certified facilities complying with AASHTO LRFD and AWS D1.5M. Steel plates are sourced from qualified mills with complete Mill Test Reports (MTRs). Components are processed by CNC cutting and precision beveling. Main seams use submerged arc welding, while attachments adopt GMAW. All welders hold AWS certifications. Critical full penetration welds receive 100% UT inspection; fillet welds are tested by MT on demand. Full preassembly is carried out before delivery to verify fitting. Surface blasting is conducted prior to anti-corrosion coating. Third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas or designated institutions is available. We provide a full technical dossier including design calculations, material certificates, WPS/PQR, NDT records and as-built drawings.
 

The Custom Fabricated AASHTO LRFD Steel Arch Bridge integrates structural efficiency, heavy load capacity and fast construction for highway infrastructure projects. Designed and fabricated under recognized standards AASHTO LRFD and AWS D1.5M, this customized prefabricated solution supports HL-93 traffic loads and long-span requirements. Bolt-connected prefabricated segments shorten site work cycles. With proper maintenance, the bridge can operate reliably for 75–100+ years, and full technical documents are supplied for engineering approval.

Send your project parameters including span, width, site conditions and load requirements to our engineering team. We will offer AASHTO LRFD-compliant design and formal quotation within 48 hours. Engineered to AASHTO LRFD, welded to AWS D1.5M, custom-built for your infrastructure – your heavy-duty bridge solution starts here.