In choosing steel plates for bridging, many factors should be looked into, such as durability, noise level, lengths and widths, slip resistance and composition.
Does your next project include the following?
- Steel Plate Bridging Guidelines
- Steel plate bridging on freeways is not allowed
- Steel plates must extend a minimum of 12” beyond the edges of the trench
- Steel plates must operate with minimum noise
- Steel plates should be able to support traffic loads
- Temporary paving with cold asphalt concrete shall be used to feather the edges of the plates
- Methods of Installation
- Method 1
- For speeds greater than 45mph the pavement should be cold planed to a depth equal to the thickness of the plate and to a width and length equal to the dimensions of the plate.
- Method 2
- For speeds less than 45mph the steel plate shall be attached to the roadway by a minimum of 2 dowels pre-drilled into the corners of the plate and drilled 2” into the pavement.
- Fine grade asphalt should taper the edges of the steel plates
- Composition
- All steel plates should be without deformation
- Inspectors can determine the trueness of steel plates by using a straight edge. They will reject any plate that is not up to standards.
- Steel plates within the right of way should have a coefficient of friction of 0.35 as determined by California Test Method 342.
- Based on the test data, a contractor will determine what amount of surface wear is acceptable and when the steel plates should be resurfaced.
- Surfacing requirements are not necessary for steel plates used in parking strips, shoulders or connecting driveways.
“Encroachment Permit Steel Plate Bridging Utility Provisions.” N.p., Apr. 2002. Web.
