Investigation of Dual Grade/Hybrid Steel Plate Girders Utilizing Stainless Steel
Corrosion is a significant concern for steel bridges, and if not properly designed for or mitigated, can lead to costly maintenance or service failures. One option for making steel bridges more corrosion-resistant is to use 50CR steel (formerly ASTM A1010 steel), which is a stainless steel having similar mechanical properties to typical bridge steels with much greater corrosion resistance. While 50CR steel is attractive due to its corrosion resistance, it’s cost, relative to traditional carbon steel, may preclude it from use due to budgetary restraints. One option for making 50CR steel bridges more cost-effective is by using a dual-grade girder, in which 50CR is used in targeted corrosive locations, while conventional steel, such as uncoated ASTM A709 Grade 50W or coated steel, are used elsewhere. By using the more costly material where it provides the most benefit, dual-grade girders have the potential to achieve life cycle cost savings by reducing future maintenance and increasing the overall service life of the girder. There has been limited research addressing the strength and corrosion performance of 50CR welded to traditional carbon steels. This research will quantify the corrosion behavior and the galvanic corrosion potential through accelerated corrosion tests. Strength tests will also be performed to evaluate any potential issues with the welding processes required for hybrid welding.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $157,628.00
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Contract Numbers:
69A3552348308
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Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota United States 58108-6050 -
Project Managers:
Tolliver, Denver
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Performing Organizations:
Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
Logan, UT United States -
Principal Investigators:
Hebdon, Matthew
- Start Date: 20251117
- Expected Completion Date: 20271116
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
- Source Data: CTIPS-058
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Carbon steel; Corrosion resistant materials; Corrosion tests; Stainless steel; Strength of materials; Welds
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Materials;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01975340
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability
- Contract Numbers: 69A3552348308
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Dec 29 2025 11:32AM