STEEL FABRICATION OF I-BEAMS AND ARCHES IN BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION: A CASE STUDY IN SABAH MALAYSIA

Steel is treated as precious metal and essential component used in all type of construction.
The use of this main element should be properly planned in design and fabrication stage to
reduce the wastage and save cost. The most difficult problems faced by the steel
fabrication industry are the planning and scheduling of shop activities, delivery to site and
method of launching. Unlike concrete beams steel has its own advantage / convenience to
design and construct long span bridges. The case study investigates the process from
fabrication to launching sequences in the construction of multiple bridges in Sabah. The
multiple bridge projects cover the 13 steel bridges spread all over the state. Out of which 10
Bridges use Steel I-Beam, two use Steel Arch Bridges and one use Truss Bridge. This
paper presents the reasons behind the choice to design for Steel I Beam or Arch Bridges.
The planning of steel fabrication sequences and entire process of production are presented.
The study also discusses the launching method adopted in various multiple steel bridges.
The findings and lessons learned related to material procurement, fabrication and
launching are presented. The study identifies and expands on lessons learned and
addresses actions which did and did not work well giving the circumstances of the incidents.
This study has great value to the steel fabrication industry that need to develop the shop
activities and improve the erection methods that suit to the site conditions.