Recent SBG projects

Weathering steel bridges near the coast - Study on atmospheric corrosivity classifications
The current DMRB (CD 361) limits the use of weathering steel to sites greater than 15 km from the coast unless 12 months of testing is undertaken. The SBG became aware that this was limiting UK Bridge Owners’ options for new bridges within 15 km of the coast as there is usually insufficient time for testing.

The SBG has been gathering information about the condition of existing weathering steel bridges built near the coast in the UK. This information was included in a map that the group prepared. If you have data about existing weathering steel bridges that are within 15 km from the coast and are not included in the map, please inform the SBG by completing this brief online survey.

Furthermore, the SBG recently commissioned a study which was undertaken by Arup, to provide an evidenced based approach for the classification/assessment of environments and propose scientifically justified limitations on the use of weathering steel in bridges (or requirements for site specific corrosivity testing) within a certain distance from the coast for the UK. An article with the findings of this study was published in the February 2024 issue of the NSC magazine.

Workshop on steel bridge construction issues
The SBG organised a consultative workshop on steel bridge construction which was held in May 2017. Aimed primarily at main contractors, it sought to identify the problems they face throughout the lifecycle of steel bridge projects, and investigated what can be done to make steel bridge solutions more competitive, easier to procure and more appealing from a whole life perspective.

The workshop consisted in a series of three group exercises, the aim of which were to:

• Identify the key issues (in relation to steel bridge projects) within each of the project lifecycle stages;
• Assess the identified issues in terms of their overall 'Impact' on the successful delivery of projects and the 'Ease' of addressing them;
• Identify the interests of 'decision makers' throughout the whole project lifecycle, and prioritise these according to their relative importance within the decision making process.

The outcomes of this workshop, which are summarised in the downloadable proceedings, have been used to provide direction for SBG's future activities.

Development of SBG guidance for designers in relation to contract specific Appendix 18/1 for the structural steelwork specifications from Highways England and Network Rail

Structural steelwork specifications from National Highways and Network Rail are developed in accordance with BS EN 1090-2, the European execution standard. For some clauses, designers are given a choice between several options or may specify additional information, which must be referenced in a contract-specific 'Appendix 18/1'. The Steel Bridge Group (SBG) has published guidance to help designers compile this appendix.

SCI P418 provides guidance for client specifications based on BS EN 1090-2:2008, which remains in use for some railway projects. For specifications based on BS EN 1090-2:2018, designers must use the newer publication, SCI P451. This document is also suitable, with minimal amendment, for specifications adopting the BS EN 1090-2:2018+A1:2024 amendments.