Introduction to metal bridges

Metal bridge construction refers to the process of designing, manufacturing, transporting, erecting and maintaining bridge structures that primarily use steel or other metals as structural materials. These bridges are essential for connecting regions, facilitating land transportation and improving road, rail and pedestrian infrastructure.

The use of metal in bridges offers significant advantages, such as high resistance to loads, flexibility in design, speed in construction and durability against various climatic conditions. For this reason, metal bridges are a predominant choice in civil engineering projects worldwide.

Origins and early developments

Metal bridges emerged in the mid-19th century with the advance of the Industrial Revolution, which allowed the mass production of steel and cast iron. Early iron bridges, such as the Coalbrookdale Bridge in England (1779), laid the foundation for more sophisticated and stronger structures.

The development of new manufacturing techniques, such as hot rolling and the use of bolts and welding, allowed the creation of metal bridges with greater spans and load capacities. In Spain and other European countries, these advances translated into emblematic buildings that still exist.

Technical and material innovations

With the arrival of structural steel at the end of the 19th century, metal bridges experienced a qualitative leap. This material overcame the limitations of cast iron, offering a superior strength-to-weight ratio and better behavior against fatigue and corrosion.