railPrime

• Class Is set 2010 capital spending budgets (1/28/2010)

• Experienced mechanical engineers

7/2/2015

HCB Inc.: Composite beam for railway bridge construction and replacement

HCB Inc., the developer of the Hillman Composite Beam (HCB), introduces the HCB for railway bridge construction and replacement. The HCB is a long-lasting structural technology that combines the strength and sturdiness of concrete and steel with the lightweight and corrosion-resistance and resiliency features of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP).

The FRP outer shell encapsulates the tension and compression elements, providing maximum protection from the elements for the steel and concrete encased within, which ensures an extended service life and minimal maintenance. By optimizing the qualities inherent in the FRP shell, the concrete arch compression element and the steel reinforcement tension element, the HCB allows construction professionals to build bridges and structures that can be lower cost and stronger without requiring additional training for crews.

With the HCB system, railways can accomplish bridge construction quickly, safely and easily at a faster pace than with conventional construction methods. Lightweight railroad HCB prefabricated modules allow for installation of longer spans with the same equipment and methods currently used, completing work faster than ever before. With their unique composition of components, HCBs designed and manufactured for railroad loading have additional strength capacity up to 60 percent more than required by code. As of 2014, railroad bridges with HCBs have been exposed to 500 million gross tons of Class 1 rail traffic – exposure demonstrating the HCB’s proven technology for railway applications.   

With years of proven field performance in the highway bridge industry, the HCB was recently selected for a Canadian Pacific Railway replacement in Fernie, British Columbia. The project consisted of removing the existing track and superstructure, and then installing two parallel, 33-foot-long, 14-foot-wide single span HCB prefabricated bridge modules. Because the modules had ballast curbs, walkways and handrails pre-installed, the track crew was able to lay track immediately after the installation, reopening the bridge to revenue services in less than 10 hours.  Another HCB railroad bridge is slated for installation by BNSF in Colorado this year.

“Renewal of infrastructure is an absolute must for railroads,” said John Hillman, inventor of the Hillman Composite Beam and president of HCB Inc. “Class I railroads of North America still consist of old timber trestles in dire need of replacement, and with such short windows of opportunity for crews to access the sites, it’s imperative that these railway bridges be replaced quickly with long-lasting solutions. The HCB meets these demands and more.”  The HCB offers a sustainable solution for railroad bridges up to 70 feet that are stronger, more resilient and less expensive than conventional steel bridges.

As North America’s rail system ages and the need for bridge replacement continues to rise, the HCB demonstrates a solution that offers minimal disruption to service, reduced maintenance and inspection needs, and a design that greatly exceeds safety code requirements.