FRP I-Beam bridges

Fiberglass I-beam style bridges for small crossings

A composite I-beam style bridge is perfect solution for small crossings over small streams or slight slopes. We typically design our I-Beam bridges for single free-standing spans up to 25 feet. Like a boardwalk, our I-Beam style bridge comprises of high strength FRP wide flange beams for structural support, with less members when compared to our standard truss style structure. This allows for considerable cost saves from our traditional truss bridges, which customers appreciate for smaller spanning structures.

Most fiberglass I-Beam bridges can be installed in less than a day and require no heavy machinery to assemble. Lightweight components make transporting materials a breeze, with the most massive member Typically being under 200 lbs. These bridges can also ship partially assembled, or fully assembled, decreasing the site assembly time for the installer.

Fiberglass Bridges for Parks and Trails

Fiberglass I-Beam style bridges have been utilized in a range of settings. From local parks to large trail systems and even residential sites, the I-beam style bridge is ideal for small spanning walkway solutions. Our I-beam style bridges are the lightest structural system currently available on the market. This makes it ideal for projects where light weigh components and easy of assembly are a must in order to get to hard to access locations. Since these bridges are designed custom, they are perfect solutions for replacement projects where existing foundations exist.

Customizing Your Fiberglass I-Beam Bridge

Our I-Beam bridges come with a variety of customization options. If handrailing is required on the structure, these bridges can be fitted with an FRP handrail systems at 42” or 54” in height. If handrailing is not need, then FRP or wooden curbing can be added. If handrailing is not needed, then 3" wooden curb mounts can be used. I-Beam styled bridges can be designed to accommodate equestrian loads as well as light utility vehicles.

Our I-Beam style bridge can be designed to the AASHTO code or IBC and can accommodate most snow loads. I-Beam style bridges can be equipped with standard 3”x12” Pressure Treated Southern Yellow Pine wood decking or one of our FRP decks for customers wanting a decking system that will have virtually no maintenance and last the bridge's life.

FRP Offers High Strength & Little Maintenance

FRP offers significant advantages over traditional materials that are being used for these small spanning structures. These structures are designed with high strength, light weight and low maintenance components. Decking and curbing can be provided in fiberglass, recycled plastic or pressure-treated wood. Depending on your span length and railing requirements, the system can also be provided in a lightweight truss system.

Bridge Installation

Our system can be shipped unassembled or preassembled in modular units. The advantage of shipping unassembled is that the lightweight components can be hand-carried to remote, inaccessible locations with no disturbance to the environment. Park maintenance crews, contractors, and volunteers can easily install the system using standard hand tools. No special experience or heavy equipment is needed to install the I-beam bridge systems.

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E.T. Techtonics Fiberglass Bridges Brochure

Use our free online Request A Quote form to begin the process. Fill in the details and we will work with you to develop an accurate quote for your project. If you prefer, you can visit our contact page to reach us by phone or email. Learn about bridges
The schedule from order to delivery is determined on a project by project basis. Use our free online Request A Quote form to give us details about your project. We can put together an estimate for your project that will include scheduling information. Most of our typical spans are shipped within approximately 60 days of order. Learn More
CCG does not install these bridges. See our installation guide you can review the different methods of installation. Depending on the type of bridge and the terrain, installation can be performed quickly by a small number of people.
E.T. Techtonics park and trail bridges by are typically designed to support pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian uses. They are also often designed to support ATV's, golf carts, and trail maintenance equipment. Our bridges can also be designed for light vehicle applications (10,000 lbs./5T) which includes cars, light pick-up trucks and ambulances. We do not provide vehicular or highway bridges.
Components in our bridge system are designed to be hand carried to the site. Usually the heaviest component weighs approximately 90 lbs.
Depending on the width the bridge system can be shipped assembled. Most of our clients prefer to have it shipped unassembled as this is the most cost effective approach.
Usually we splice bridges over 50'-0" due to shipping. We splice bridges under 50'-0" when requested by the client. Transportation, installation and location typically dictate the most effective component lengths.
We have fabricated and shipped 65'-0" long components. Shipping is the major issue and expense when considering components of this length. There is a large cost savings when components of this length are spliced. We recommend splicing.
Our longest span to date is 152'.
Yes. Note that most cambers require special shop fitting and cambered trusses must be shipped assembled, so this involves additional fabrication costs. Unloading and carrying these assembled trusses may also be more difficult at the jobsite. Assembled trusses for bridges up to 50’-0 in length usually weigh approximately 15 lbs./ft. Bridges over 50’-0 will have spliced truss sections, but due to the heavier components required in the design these sections will weigh approximately 25 lbs./ft. Most of our clients prefer a standard dead load camber only, which can be shipped in component parts for easier transport into remote areas.
Standard concrete foundations are typically used with our bridge system. We will provide you a drawing which details the required anchor bolt layout. Anchor bolts can either be cast in place or drilled/epoxied to suit. Clients have also successfully used helical piers with wood or concrete sills, and gabions with wood or concrete sills. We do not provide foundation design, anchor bolts, or soil evaluations. A geotech engineer should be consulted for the foundation design.
We have done several bridges of this type. We can discuss the various design options with you and the related costs, if any.
In marine type environments and extremely wet environments, we specify stainless steel bolts. We recommend using grade 316SS over 304SS to insure that the fasteners will not exhibit any corrosion.
FRP composite decking is available and is ideal for pedestrian bridges located in harsh environments. It is light weight, easy to carry and will withstand the test of time, while providing an ADA compliant slip resistant surface. The most cost-effective decking is standard pressure treated (ACQ) wood. We specify #2 Southern Yellow Pine as this is readily available in our area of the country. We recommend 3"x12" for typical pedestrian and bicycle applications. For equestrian, trail equipment and ATV type applications we use 3"x12". Recycled plastic lumber can also be used as a price point between FRP decking and wood. IPE (hardwood) has been used by our clients on occasions but again at additional cost. Some clients prefer to supply their own deck materials, such as Douglas Fir. For equestrian type applications, we recommend using 3"x12" as horses are sensitive to various textures and sounds of decking.
CCG has standardized the spacing at 4". There is no governing standard for trail and park bridge design. For trail bridges the standard maximum opening between horizontal safety midrails is recommended at 9"or less. Typical codes which govern building design recommend a 4"maximum opening for all railings and stairways. Based on this some of our clients specify 4" openings.
Fiberglass has similar strength characteristics (tension, compression, bending) to that of steel and aluminum and significantly higher properties in comparison with reinforced concrete and wood. It is 1/5th the weight of steel and 1/2 the weight of aluminum. Its modulus of elasticity is similar to reinforced concrete. Its coefficient of thermal expansion is lower than that of steel and aluminum. Due to its high strength properties it is a viable lightweight alternative to traditional materials of construction with the benefit of being rot and corrosion proof.
Fiberglass holds up extremely well in salt air and wet environments and is not affected by termites. Most of our spans, in shady forest locations, exhibit very little change in the appearance of the material over many years. In locations of strong constant sunlight (ultraviolet light) there will be color fading over time, and eventual possible surface deterioration of the material. This does not affect structural performance. We warrant the structural performance of our bridges for 15 years.
The fiberglass bridge system is designed to be virtually maintenance-free (a 15-year structural warranty is provided). UV fading will occur over time. The extent is based on the sun's intensity and location.

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