Abstract: A low cost, structurally superior bridge and fabrication method are described which take maximum advantage of the compressive strength of concrete, and the tensile strength of steel, to give a bridge structure having the lowest allowable depth-to-span ratio and good dead load/live load ratios, as well as minimum deflection under impacting, moving concentrated loads. The bridge is most preferably shop cast in sections which include lowermost, substantially planar structural metallic plates (e.g., 5/16" thick self-rusting steel) of length and width dimensions substantially equal to that of the sections; a separate layer of concrete is then composited to each plate, preferably by means of upstanding studs secured to the plate and embedded within the concrete. Monolithic bridge sections are thus formed which can be transported to the bridge site, erected and connected, typically by welding the respective section plates together at regular intervals.

Abstract: A low cost, factory fabricated, force distributing bridge truss assembly is disclosed which includes respective, interconnected, converging pairs of carrier truss structures designed to be composited to an overlying concrete bridge deck such that the latter serves as a top chord diaphragm for absorbing live load-induced compression and bending forces. The carrier truss structures are fabricated using only two standard shapes of plasma arc cut steel angles (normally 6".times.6" for truss webs and 8".times.8" for truss chords) welded directly together without the need for special order steel or supplemental gusset plates. The preferred deck for use with the truss assembly hereof is a concrete structure having a lowermost, spanning metallic plate substrate composited (by means of upstanding studs) to a concrete layer thereon. This assembly may be applied to the carrier truss structure in either precast, sectionalized form or field cast in place.