Introduction

Steel bridge construction in the United States is generally performed in accordance with the AASHTO specification, but much of the actual design, fabrication, and construction is governed by specifications, codes, standards, and practices that are prepared at the state level. In general this means that there are as many as fifty different sets of rules that govern the construction of steel bridges which each state must maintain and fabricators must follow. Further, each state must have the expertise to ensure the best technology is reflected in the specifications, practices, and designs. The Collaboration is an effort to unify the existing diverse requirements and to allow steel bridge professionals to share resources.

Mission

The mission of the Collaboration is to achieve quality and value in steel bridges by standardization of design, fabrication, and erection and by the sharing of resources. Through the Collaboration, steel bridge professionals work together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect to develop details, specifications and practices and to exchange knowledge, technology and expertise.