Nippon Steel’s Plate Deck Bridge 4-Time Adopted in F2008

Nippon Steel announced on Thursday adoption of its steel plate deck bridge, Kakutabashi increased by more than 4 times to 1,400 tonnes in fiscal 2008 (Apr08-Mar09) from the previous fiscal year. The adoption number was 36 bridges in fiscal 2008, increasing by 2.3 times year-on-year. The firm started the sales of Kakutabashi in 2005 and the acceptance increased for the renewal of short concrete bridges year by year. Total acceptance achieved 2,000 tonnes and 76 bridges from fiscal 2005.

Kakutabashi contributes to less weight and shorter construction schedule. Construction cost of Kakutabashi is lower than existing concrete bridges with shorter construction schedule and less engineering space.

There are about 530,000 bridges in Japan with length at below 15 meters. Renewals of old bridges are expected to increase. Nippon Steel aims to expand Kakutabashi acceptance to 5,000 tonnes.

Kakutabashi is mainly composed of square steel pipes. Construction lead time is 1 or 2 days. Kakutabashi reduces the weight by about 50% compared with concrete bridges. Consequently, small heavy machines can haul Kakutabashi in a little place.

Kakutabashi is also used as a temporary bridge for renewal construction of old bridges. For example, it was adopted to road repairing in Aichi prefecture at 543 tonnes.