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Bridge Materials / structural plate /

MINI-SPAN BRIDGES
TECHNICAL BROCHURE

QUICKLY INSTALLED
AND ECONOMICAL
SHORT SPAN BRIDGES

Versatile
Durable
Rugged
Reusable
100% open bottom structure
Pre-assembled at the factory
Pre-engineered structure
Lightweight
Simple to install
mini-span bridges

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Armtec Mini-Span structures are patented products developed in response to our NOTE

customers’ need for an economical and rapid solution for crossings of • On-site technical support
environmentally sensitive streams. The features that differentiate Mini-Span from available from Armtec
conventional culvert structures are: • Factory-installed headwalls are
available on all Mini-Spans

100% open bottom structure Pre-assembled at the factory

This is a bottomless structure with a Structures are pre-assembled at the
clear span across the creek, and thus a factory by skilled Armtec professionals,
“fish friendly” bridge that preserves the which means reduced installation costs
aquatic habitat. and reduced installation time.

Pre-engineered structure Lightweight and simple to install

The structure is designed for a Economical transportation and
combination of spans and load- installation—there is no need for
carrying capabilities. specialized or heavy equipment.

Versatile
Ideal for use in applications such as
logging roads, secondary highways,
municipal creek crossings, utility
crossings, hiking trails and access roads.
Durable
Mini-Spans I and II are manufactured
using Hot Dip Galvanized components.
Additional paint finish is available on
Mini-Spans III.

Rugged
Originally developed for the logging
industry, Mini-Span structures are
designed to meet the most demanding
handling and in-use requirements.
Reusable
The rugged design of Mini-Spans III
means that the structures may be
recovered and reused many times.

QUiCK FACTs
Mini-spans are available in 3 models for optimum suitability

Standard
Lengths Material
68 x 13mm Corrugated
Mini-Span I Up to 20m
Galvanized Sheet

152 x 51mm Hot-Dip Galvanized

Mini-Span II Up to 20m
Corrugated Steel Structural Plate
152 x 51mm Painted
Mini-Span III 7.45m Corrugated Steel Structural Plate,
in Heavy Duty 7.0mm Plate
 mini-span bridges

Mini-Span I - 68MM x 13MM Corrugations

Loading and Cover Requirements
_
Minimum NOTE
Inside Inside End Steel CS-600 L-75 L-100 L-165 • Minimum soil bearing capacity = 250kPa
Span Rise Area Thickness Cover Cover Cover Cover • Footing Plate = 400mm x 12.7mm
(plate to A36 minimum)
Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max.
mm mm m2 mm m m m m m m m m

800 400 0.25 2.8 0.3 7.4 0.3 7.4 0.4 7.4 0.4 7.3

1,000 500 0.39 2.8 0.3 5.9 0.3 5.9 0.4 5.8 0.5 5.7
NAL LENGTH OF STRUCTURE (MULTIPLE OF 609.6mm)
1,200 600 0.57 3.5 0.4 4.8 0.4 4.8 0.4 4.8 0.6 4.6

GALVANIZED FOOTING PLATE

1,400 700 0.77 3.5
GUSSET PLATE
0.4 4.1 0.4 4.1 0.5 4.0 0.7
FASTEN ARMTEC MINI-SPAN
ARCH AT FOOTING PLATES
3.8
(TYP) WITH 3/8” DIA X 1 1/2” LG STIFFENER CHANNEL
(TYP)
FLANGED FASTEN WITH 3/4” DIA. X 2” LG MP
1,600 800 1.01 3.5 0.5 3.5 0.5 3.5 0.5 3.4 0.8
BOLTS c/w NUT & WASHER
3.2 CSP BOLTS c/w NUTS @ 610 CTRS
SHELL

1,800 900 1.27 3.5 0.5 3.0 0.5 3.0 0.6 2.9 0.9 2.6
FASTEN ARMTEC MINI-SPAN
ARCH AT CIRCUMFERENTIAL
LAPS WITH 3/8” DIA X 1” LG
BOLTS c/w NUT & WASHER
(TYP)
CROSS STRUT

CROSS STRUT

610 COVERAGE
FLANGED CSP SHELL
(TYP)

305 COVERAGE
FLANGED CSP SHELL
(TYP BOTH ENDS)

INSIDE SPAN, SEE TABLE ABOVE

ALL HOLES IN FLANGED
GALVANIZED CSP TO BE SLOTTED 0/0 FOOTING PLATES
GUSSET PLATE
mini-span
CROSS STRUT I bridge (TYP) UPSTREAM END
(TYP)
SECTION A-A

NOMINAL LENGTH OF STRUCTURE (MULTIPLE OF 609.6mm)

3658
(TYP) FASTEN ARMTEC MINI-SPAN
GALVANIZED FOOTING PLATE ARCH AT FOOTING PLATES
A 1219 (TYP)
GUSSET PLATE
(TYP) WITH 3/8” DIA X 1 1/2” LG
BOLTS c/w NUT & WASHER
(TYP)

FASTEN ARMTEC MINI-SPAN

ARCH AT CIRCUMFERENTIAL
LAPS WITH 3/8” DIA X 1” LG
0/0 FOOTING PLATES, SEE TABLE (PAGE 5)

BOLTS c/w NUT & WASHER

(TYP)
INSIDE SPAN, SEE TABLE (PAGE 5)

CROSS STRUT

CROSS STRUT

CROSS STRUT

610 COVERAGE
FLANGED CSP SHELL
(TYP)

305 COVERAGE
FLANGED CSP SHELL
(TYP BOTH ENDS)

A
GALVANIZED ALL HOLES IN FLANGED
FOOTING PLATE GALVANIZED GUSSET PLATE CSP TO BE SLOTTED
(TYP) CROSS STRUT (TYP)
DOWNSTREAM END (TYP) UPSTREAM END

Mini-Span I – PLAN VIEW

 mini-span bridges

Mini-Span II - 152MM x 51MM Corrugations

Loading and Cover Requirements

Minimum
Inside Inside End Steel CS-600 L-75 L-100 L-165
Span Rise Area Thickness Cover Cover Cover Cover
Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max.
mm mm m2 mm m m m m m m m m

2,130 1,120 1.86 3.0 0.4 4.8 0.4 5.1 0.5 4.7 0.6 4.5

2,440 1,270 2.42 3.0 0.4 4.1 0.5 4.4 0.5 4.0 0.7 3.8

2,740 1,440 3.07 3.0 0.6 3.6 0.6 3.9 0.6 3.5 0.7 3.3

3,050 1,600 3.81 2362 3.0 0.6 3.2 0.6 3.4 0.6 3.1 0.8 2.8 ¾" DIA X 2" LG
127 X 76 X 13 @ 406 LG
LIFTING LUG ANGLE
76 MULTI-PLATE BOLT c/w NUT
GUSSET GUSSET AND MULTI-PLATE WASHER
3,350 1,750 4.65 3.0 0.6 2.9 0.6 3.0 0.7 2.8 0.9 2.4
3,660 1,910 5.48 3.0 0.6 2.6 0.6 2.7 0.7 2.5 0.9 2.0

NOTE
• Minimum soil bearing capacity = 250kPa
• Footing Plate = 400mm x 12.7mm
(plate to A36 minimum)
ARIES

INSIDE SPAN, SEE TABLE ABOVE

0/0 FOOTING PLATES

SECTION A-A
UPSTREAM END

2362 2362
76
FOOTING PLATE GUSSET GUSSET
O/O FOOTING PLATES, SEE CHART

DIMENSION VARIES
SPAN, SEE CHART

FOOTING PLATE
DOWNSTREAM END UPSTREAM END
Mini-Span II & III – PLAN VIEW
mini-span bridges

Mini-Span III - 152MM x 51MM Corrugations,

7MM plate thickness
Loading and Cover Requirements
_
Minimum NOTE
Inside Inside End Steel CS-600 L-75 L-100 L-165 • Mini-Span III standard lengths = 7.45m
Span Rise Area Thickness Cover Cover Cover Cover • Minimum soil bearing capacity = 250kPa
• Footing Plate = 400mm x 12.7mm
Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max.
mm mm m2 mm m m m m m m m m (plate to A36 minimum)

2,130 1120 1.86 7.0 0.4 4.8 0.4 4.8 0.4 4.7 0.5 4.5

2,740 1440 3.07 7.0 0.4 3.6 0.4 3.6 0.6 3.5 0.7 3.3

3,660 1910 5.48 7.0 0.6 2.6 0.6 2.6 0.7 2.5 0.9 2.0

mini-span III bridge

mini-span bridges

_
NOTE
• Obtaining permits for diversion
work(s) and installation of the
mini-span are the responsibility
of the owner
• For design of foundation/footing call
Armtec for un-factored footing loads
• Foundation should be investigated by
qualified local geotechnical engineer

INSTALLATION OF mini-span bridge

INSTALLATION
1. Foundation Preparation
A properly prepared foundation, to support the footing plates, is essential for
a successful Mini-Span installation. The elevation, grade and alignment of the
footing plates are dependant on the foundation.

Foundation material of poor or non-uniform bearing capacity must be

removed to prevent differential footing settlement. Replacement foundation
soils must provide a uniform and relatively yielding support.

2. Footing Design
Mini-Span structures are typically designed so that the footing plates bear
directly on the foundation or bedding. If required, a concrete footing should be
designed by a local qualified structural engineer, using available soils data,
un-factored footing loads provided by Armtec, and appropriate design methods.

It’s the responsibility of the owner to determine the scour line of the creek, and
position the footings and detail rock armour accordingly.

3. Assembly and Installation

Mini-Span structures are preassembled and lifted into place on the prepared
foundation. The total assembled weight of the structure is noted on the Bill of
Material. Factory installed lifting lugs are provided. Slings must be of sufficient
length such that the lifting angle is no flatter than a 1 (horizontal): 2 (vertical)
slope, to prevent overstressing the lifting lugs.

If concrete footings are required, the Mini-Span is lowered onto the cast-in-
place or precast footings after they are installed to the correct grade and
alignment. Holes shall be drilled into the top surface of the footings, matching
the holes pre-drilled in the footing plate. The footing plate is then bolted to the
footing using 12.5mmø x 100lg anchor bolts.

4. Backfill and Footing Protection

To protect the critical backfill, a geotextile should be placed on the outside of
the structure, over the granular foundation and footing plate. To protect the
footings and foundation from scour, a layer of angular armour rock/rip rap
should be placed inside the structure, above the footing plates. The owner’s
engineer shall make site specific recommendations for scour protection. mini-span bridge
 300 LOOSE CUSHION ARCH

STIFFENING RIB

mini-span bridges

BACKFILLING PERPENDICULAR
TO LENGTH OF STRUCTURE
_
INSTALLATION (CONTINUED) NOTE
All dimensions are in millimetres
5. Backfilling & Compacting
LIVE LOAD AS PROVIDED BY ENGINEER
unless otherwise noted
Areas close to the sides of the structure shall be compacted using vibrating or
tamping equipment running parallel with the length of structure at all times.
Granular fill material shall be at optimum moisture content during compaction.

PARALLEL TO LENGTH
¾ RISE BACKFILLING
Each fill layer shall be compacted to at least 95% standard proctor density.

OF STRUCTURE
PLACE AND COMPACT GRANULAR BACKFILL
IN 200MM LIFTS TO 95% STANDARD PROCTOR
When
DENSITY (MIN) the backfill reaches 3/4 of the rise, spreading and compaction over the
top arc must
STREAM BED be made in a direction perpendicular to the length of the
300 LOOSE CUSHION ARCH Backfill and compaction parallel
structure (parallel to corrugations) until the finished height of the critical
to arch up to 3/4 rise above top
300 MIN
RIP RAP

STIFFENING RIB
backfill zone is reached.
of footing

BACKFILLING PERPENDICULAR
A minimum of 300mm of backfill must exist at all times between the spreading

TO LENGTH OF STRUCTURE
equipment and the structure. This layer of backfill must be built up evenly from
both sides. The equipment used shall not be heavier than a D-4 Caterpillar
dozer (7,250kg) for spreading material and not heavier than a Buffalo-Bomag
BW-755 for compaction.
TO SUIT COMPACTION ARMTEC 200
OOTING If the backfill is not to be placed immediately to the
EQUIPMENT BUT NOT finished elevation, a
NON-WOVEN
LESS THAN 600 (TYP) GEOTEXTILE
wearing and traveling surface is to be built over the critical backfill zone in
order to maintain a minimum allowable cover. Backfill and compaction perpendicular
INSIDE SPAN ½ SPAN MIN
to arch from 3/4 rise above top of
footing to finished grade

PARALLEL TO LENGTH
¾ RISE BACKFILLING

OF STRUCTURE
2 X INSIDE SPAN

Typical Backfill Envelope

STREAM BED
LIVE LOAD AS PROVIDED BY ENGINEER
300 MIN
RIP RAP

PLACE AND COMPACT GRANULAR BACKFILL

IN 200MM LIFTS TO 95% STANDARD PROCTOR
DENSITY (MIN)
COVER

300 LOOSE CUSHION ARCH

STIFFENING RIB

TO SUIT COMPACTION

BACKFILLING PERPENDICULAR
ARMTEC 200

TO LENGTH OF STRUCTURE
OTING EQUIPMENT BUT NOT NON-WOVEN
LESS THAN 600 (TYP) GEOTEXTILE
300

INSIDE SPAN ½ SPAN MIN

2 X INSIDE SPAN
INSIDE RISE

PARALLEL TO LENGTH
¾ RISE BACKFILLING

OF STRUCTURE

STREAM BED
300 MIN
RIP RAP

ANCHOR BOLTS
(12.5mmø x 100mm LONG) TO SUIT COMPACTION ARMTEC 200
AT 1m O/C EQUIPMENT BUT NOT
CONCRETE FOOTING NON-WOVEN
LESS THAN 600 (TYP) GEOTEXTILE
(BY OTHERS)

½ SPAN MIN INSIDE SPAN ½ SPAN MIN

2 X INSIDE SPAN
 Drawings and product details are for information
and/or illustrative purposes only and may vary. Please con-
tact your Armtec representative for the most
current product information.

Armtec is a leading Canadian infrastructure and construction materials company combining creative
engineered solutions, relevant advice, dedicated people, proven products and a national presence with
a local focus on exceptional customer service.

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Armtec / Bridge Materials / Structural Plate / Mini-Span Bridges / Technical Guide | 2013–06