Highlight:
Precision Steel Truss Fabrication
, ASTM A588 Corten Bridge
, Prefabricated Weathering Structure
Steel Grade: |
ASTM A588 Grade A / B Corten Weathering Steel |
Fabrication Class: |
Precision Shop Fabrication, Jig Assembled |
Connection Preparation: |
Jig Drilled Splice And Node Plates |
Truss Type: |
Welded Steel Plate Truss, Warren Or Pratt Layout |
Verification: |
Full Span Trial Assembly Before Shipment |
Welding Standard: |
AWS D1.5 With UT And MT Inspection |
Surface Strategy: |
Bare Weathering With Zoned Galvanizing |
Design Standard: |
AASHTO LRFD |
Delivery: |
Bundled In Erection Sequence, Erection Drawings Included |
Precision Prefabricated Weathering Steel Bridge - ASTM A588 Corten Truss Structure
Precision Prefabrication Series
Precision Prefabricated Weathering Steel Bridge
An ASTM A588 Corten truss structure built to shop tolerance, trial assembled before shipment, and delivered ready to bolt on site — no drilling, no cutting, no field fit-up surprises.
Precision Steel FabricationASTM A588 Corten TrussPrefabricated Weathering BridgeBolted Connection Ready
Shop tolerance fabrication
Cut, drilled and fitted under one roof
Jig drilled splice plates
Holes line up on the first lift
Full span trial assembly
Geometry proven before packing
Bare A588 weathering
No paint schedule to manage
The brief
Prefabrication only pays off when the tolerance holds
A prefabricated bridge saves money on site only if the parts arrive ready to assemble. When plate edges are hand cut, holes are match drilled on site and camber is pulled in with jacks, the saving disappears into crane time and rework. This structure is built the other way round: every plate is nested and cut on CNC, every node is assembled in a jig, splice plates are jig drilled in pairs, and the full span is trial assembled before it is packed. What arrives on site is not a kit of steel, it is a structure that has already been put together once.
Precision chain
Six controlled stages
1
Detailing and nesting
Member sizes, camber, weld access and bolt gauges are resolved in the shop model first. Plates are nested for grain direction and minimum waste, and every part carries a match mark from the start.
2
CNC cutting and edge preparation
Plate is plasma or laser cut to profile, with edges prepared for full penetration welds. Cut quality is checked before the part moves to assembly, so fit up does not depend on grinding on site.
3
Jig assembly and welding
Chords, webs and gussets are set in fixed jigs to hold squareness and camber. Welding follows a qualified WPS to AWS D1.5, with sequence controlled to limit distortion.
4
Jig drilling of connections
Splice plates and node plates are clamped and drilled together, so hole patterns are transferred rather than re-measured. Bolt gauges stay consistent across the whole span.
5
Full span trial assembly
The complete truss is assembled in the yard with temporary bolts to verify hole alignment, camber, bearing seats and railing interfaces. Any deviation is corrected before shipment, not on site.
6
Marking, protection and packing
Members are match marked, the bare weathering surface is protected from contamination during transport, and each bundle is packed in the sequence the site will erect it.
Technical data
Structure and fabrication requirements
| Item |
Technical requirement |
| Material and metallurgy |
ASTM A588 Grade A / B low alloy weathering steel plate. Alloy balance of copper, chromium and nickel generates a dense adherent oxide layer under alternating wet and dry exposure. Plate supplied bare with mill test certificate per heat. |
| Structural form |
Welded steel plate truss in Warren or Pratt layout, with H section or box section chords and gusset plate nodes. Truss depth and camber are set by span and pedestrian comfort criteria, and preset in the shop rather than on site. |
| Fabrication tolerance |
Cut profiles, squareness, straightness of chords and camber are held within shop standard and verified against the approved drawing. Members are jig assembled, so weld distortion is controlled by sequence instead of post-weld correction. |
| Connection preparation |
Splice plates and node plates are jig drilled in matched sets. Bolt hole position and gauge are transferred from the jig, so field connections are assembled with bolts only, without drilling, reaming or flame cutting. |
| Welding and inspection |
Full penetration welds to AWS D1.5 with qualified WPS and welder certification. Ultrasonic testing of full penetration welds, magnetic particle testing of fillet and node welds, and visual inspection of all accessible welds. |
| Surface and corrosion strategy |
Bare weathering finish on ventilated truss members; bearings, splash zones and buried steel are hot dip galvanized or coated. Surfaces are blasted to the required preparation grade before patina development begins. |
| Trial assembly and verification |
Full span trial assembly with temporary bolts to confirm hole alignment, camber, bearing seat position and railing interface. Dimensional report issued with the inspection documents. |
| Delivery package |
Members tagged, bundled and packed in erection sequence for container shipment, with erection drawings, bolt schedule, lifting point plan and inspection records. |
Where it is used
Typical structures
Pedestrian truss bridgeRiver and canal crossingIndustrial access bridgePark and campus footbridgeMining and port gangwayTemporary detour structureRoof and long span truss work
Scope of supply
What ships with the structure
✓Match-marked truss segments, floor beams and bracing members
✓Jig drilled splice plates and node plates, packed per connection
✓A325 / A490 bolt sets, nuts, washers and bearing assemblies
✓Erection drawings, bolt schedule and lifting point plan
✓Mill test certificates, WPS and welder certificates, NDT reports
✓Trial assembly dimensional report and packing list by erection sequence
Your decisions
What can be tailored
Tolerance class
Standard shop tolerance for general structures, or a tightened class for bridges that must interface with precast abutments and existing bearings.
Connection method
Fully bolted field connection as standard, or a hybrid with site welded closures where access and equipment allow.
Surface strategy
Bare weathering across the structure, zoned galvanizing at bearings and splash areas, or a full paint system for a specific project colour.
Delivery split
Complete span in one shipment, or staged deliveries matched to the site erection programme and crane availability.
Buyer questions
Answered up front
QWhat happens if a bolt hole does not line up on site?
AIt should not happen, because the span is trial assembled and the plates are jig drilled in matched sets. If a site issue occurs, the drawings and match marks let us identify the exact member and issue the correct replacement quickly.
QCan we skip the trial assembly to save cost?
AIt can be offered, but it transfers geometry risk to the site. For first articles and for spans that interface with existing abutments we recommend keeping it.
QCan you supply members only, without the deck and railing?
AYes. The truss, bracing, bearings and connection set can be supplied as a structural package, with deck and railing by others to match local requirements.
QHow is camber verified?
ACamber is set in the jig, checked at trial assembly, and recorded in the dimensional report. It is measured relative to the chord ends so the site can verify it before lifting.
QWhat documentation comes with the steel?
AMill test certificates per heat, WPS and welder qualification records, NDT reports, dimensional and trial assembly report, packing list and erection drawings.
Search terms
Related capabilities
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About us
FAMOUS Steel Engineering has been designing and fabricating structural steel since 2002 from Hangzhou, China. Detailing, CNC cutting, jig assembly, welding, trial assembly and inspection are handled in house, so tolerance is controlled by one team from drawing to shipment. Trial orders are welcome.
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