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Cost Savings
A Solid Investment in Infrastructure
Bridges Home > HPC > Concrete Advantages > Cost
Savings
Beyond economical "first cost" construction considerations, concrete
offers the added advantage of reduced life-cycle costs. Unlike steel,
concrete lowers the cost of maintenance over the life of the bridge.
With its superior durability, high-performance concrete is the cost-competitive
material of choice.
- Minimizes maintenance - No routine painting or cleaning
required.
- Reduces inspections - Mandatory biennial inspections
of concrete bridges are more cost efficient compared to yearly
inspections required by fracture-critical structures.
- Affords longer lengths - Concrete bridges can be built
in longer lengths without joints, reducing costly.
- Extends service life - Resistant to fatigue failures,
concrete bridges can be designed to withstand deterioration for
100 years of low-maintenance service.
High-Performance Profile: Happy
Hollow Bridge, Tennessee
 Owner and Engineer: Tennessee Department of Transportation
Contractor: McKinnon Bridge Company
The Challenge: To build an economical yet attractive bridge as part of State Route 50 that complied with Tennessee policy requiring jointless design of all new bridges.
The Project: Tennessee DOT chose a concrete bridge free of expansion joints and bearings. At a total length of 1175 ft. (358 m), Happy Hollow Bridge set a record as the longest, completely jointless, integral abutment bridge in the U.S.
The Concrete Advantage: With mechanical properties ideal for long, jointless bridges, concrete offers a greater tolerance for temperature fluctuations. Repair of joints and replacement of bearings are not required.
The Result: The bridge was honored with the PCA Award for Excellence, "demonstrating how standard components can be used in a creative way to produce an economical and nearly maintenance-free structure."
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