U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000


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Bridges & Structures

Heat Straightening Repair for Damaged Steel Bridges

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Demonstration Project

The objective of the Federal Highway Administrations' (FHWA's) Demonstration Project on Heat-Straightening Repair of Damaged Steel Bridges is to introduce the principles and practice of heat straightening to the bridge engineering community, specifically State Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge engineers, bridge maintenance engineers and technicians, bridge inspectors, steel bridge fabricators and erectors, consultants, FHWA representatives, and others.

Damage caused by overload, vehicle impact, mishandling, earthquake, or fire is a perennial problem associated with steel bridges. For almost half a century, heat-straightening techniques have been applied to bends and distortions in order to restore the original shape of steel elements. A few craftsmen who have years of experience with heat straightening, perform the technique in the field with varying degrees of success. However, the principles and practice of heat straightening have not been well understood or documented. Recent research has provided a sound scientific basis for the process, established its range of applicability, and defined standards of practice.

The primary goal of the said demonstration is to transfer this information to state DOT's, bridge fabricators and consultants so that heat straightening repairs can be confidently designed, supervised and conducted. The project is intended to accomplish the following tasks:

Photo of Heat Straightening in Progress
Heat Straightening in Progress.

  • Demonstrate the principles upon which heat straightening is based.
  • Outline standards of practice for conducting heat-straightening repair.
  • Demonstrate the procedures and technical basis for repairing the more common types of bridge damage.
  • Present procedures for analyzing damage, supervising repairs and preparing specifications.
  • Demonstrate heating techniques.

The following training aids have been developed:

  1. A comprehensive manual on heat-straightening repairs.
  2. A video demonstrating heat-straightening repairs.
  3. A CD ROM interactive multimedia computer program for heat-straightening repairs for both engineers and technicians.

Training aids will be made available to FHWA field offices and state DOTs. Please contact Mr. Krishna Verma, Welding Engineer, (phone (202) 366-4601, fax (202) 366-3077, e-mail krishna.verma@fhwa.dot.gov) if you need more information concerning this project.

Photo of Facia Beam Before Repair
Facia Beam Before Repair.

Photo of Facia Beam After Repair
Facia Beam After Repair.

Updated: 06/27/2017
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000