Since turn of the 20th century, thermal spray coatings, more commonly known as metallizing, have been used in a broad range of applications. However, this corrosion protection technology has not been widely used in the bridge industry until more recently because of more competitive pricing and updated technologies. Using current technology and modern application techniques, metallized bridge coatings have expected lifespans of at least 20 to 30 years. Combined with an inspection program and limited periodic…
Steel bridge surfaces are subjected to harsh environmental conditions and therefore require suitable corrosion protection in order to preserve structural integrity in the long term. Several methods are typically used to protect steel components against corrosion, including: Fabrication from a corrosion-resistant alloy (weathering steel) Protection with a coating Combination of both methods Among the different types of protective coatings in use, painting and galvanization are commonly utilized. Another type of corrosion-resistant coating is becoming more and more popular…
The Memorial Bridge is a first-of-its kind structure that features an innovative and highly-efficient structural design. The bridge crosses the Piscataqua River between Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and consists of three spans of 300 ft. (91 m) each, with the center span being a movable lift span. This new bridge replaced the structure built in 1922. The old bridge had a long service life but was not built to handle the modern…
