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Modjeski and Masters and NSBA Release Lean-on Bracing Reference Guide

MECHANICSBURG, PA | Modjeski and Masters, in collaboration with the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), is pleased to announce the release of the “Lean-on Bracing Reference Guide.”

The Lean-on Bracing Reference Guide is written to educate designers and discuss stability and strength implications. The guide provides design criteria, commentary, and example designs. It also shows bridge designers how they could use lean-on bracing in traditional bridge designs.

Written by John Holt, PE, Edward Wasserman, PE, Chad Clancy, PE, and Dhaval Panchal of Modjeski and Masters, and Michelle Romage-Chambers, PE of Burgess & Niple, this guide is available as a free download here.

About Lean-on Bracing

Lean-on bracing is a way to reduce the number and complexity of cross-frame and potentially eliminate 50% or more of the full cross-frames required for a routine steel I-girder bridge without adding any cost to the girders. Cross-frames are one of the costliest elements in a steel bridge on a per-pound basis. Reducing the number of those can have a significant impact on the speed of fabrication, speed of erection, and overall bridge cost.

“The industry has been slow to adopt the concept of lean-on bracing, despite previous research suggesting it as a viable way of supplementing or replacing cross-frames. With this guide, we provide direction and design criteria on implementing this concept into new bridge designs,” said John Holt, PE and senior technical advisor at Modjeski and Masters.

The new guide is part of the American Institute of Steel Construction's Need for Speed initiative, which set out to increase the speed at which a steel project (building or bridge) can be designed, fabricated, and erected by 50% by the end of 2025.

About Modjeski and Masters

Established 130 years ago, Modjeski and Masters is responsible for the design and maintenance of some of our nation’s most recognizable structures. Services include fixed and movable bridge design, inspection and rehabilitation, and all facets of life-cycle maintenance, research, and code development. For more information, including in-depth videos of Modjeski and Masters at work, please visit www.modjeski.com.