Verlag Stahleisen (Düsseldorf, Germany):

Lange E., Technical Journalist, e-mail: redaktion@stahleisen.de

Bridges and transportation constructions are characterized by enormous potential for steel material usage. It is underlined that up-to-date technical solutions for steel application in infrastructure can also display excellent results owing to their successful aesthetics and high efficiency. In addition, service life for such constructions (e.g. for bridges) can be prolonged more that to 100 years. The paper presents analysis of automobile bridges meaning permanent depletion of their bearing capacity. It is noted that extraordinary increase of freight transport deliveries has led to essential deterioration of road surface on bridges. In this connection, the German government has developed the strategy to strengthen such bridges, including realization of technical innovations in this area. The examples of such technical solutions are given: precise steel structures, steel-composite materials (that are more efficient compared with concrete iron), flexible modular system InnoCity.