This project involved the investigation of innovative bridge design using enhanced performance steels. High performance steel, currently under development for bridge applications, is defined as steel that exhibits one or more of the following attributes:

• High Yield Strength of 70 ksi
• High Fracture Toughness
• Little or No Pre-Heat required for Welding
• Exceptional Weathering Properties

The purpose of this project was to investigate the potential of this new steel in constructing economical steel bridges.

Many conventional and innovative structural systems were considered during this exhaustive investigation. The articles in the current design specifications that impede the use of high performance steels were identified and recommendations for specification studies were proposed. Structural systems that appeared to have the highest potential to benefit from high performance steel were identified and recommendations for constructing demonstration projects using these systems were submitted to the FHWA.

Additional items of review and services performed included: