ViaPlate
Diverse and cost-saving solution for bridges and culverts
ViaPlate is a corrugated steel structure widely used to construct bridges, culverts and grade separations. It is lightweight and easy to transport, with the installation possible in any weather within a couple of weeks. It is also a durable and green solution as the steel is completely reusable and can last for 100+ years without special maintenance.
Minimal maintenance
Most of maintenance will consist corrosion protection layer renovation once every 20-30 years.
Long service life
The steel is protected against corrosion by hot dip galvanizing. It ensures a steady service life of over 100 years.
Fast and simple installation
One crane, assembly branches and a ladder is basically all you need to set up ViaPlate. A team of one specialized supervisor and regular workers will suffice. The installation is so swift that a bridge of 90×12 m can be ready in just 2 weeks.
Suitable for extreme temperatures
Severe weather conditions is not a problem for these structures. Suitable for both -50°C and +50°C, ViaPlate can be installed in the far north of Norway as well as in scorching Morocco.
Durability in aggressive environments
What guarantees ViaPlate longevity is our customized design of corrosion protection. From the urban landscape to the seawater, we design it for all corrosivity classes. Together with the high-strength steel and simple construction, it makes ViaPlate a durable solution.
Eco-friendly
Steel is 100% recyclable. It is lightweight and much faster to produce than concrete. That is why it does not drain natural resources and leaves a much smaller carbon footprint. Finally, the quick assembly results in minimal environmental disturbance.
Steel Bridge Solutions: Multi-Plate Structures for Road, Rail and Pedestrian Crossings
ViaPlate® is ViaCon’s multi-plate structural steel system, engineered for buried bridge applications spanning from 1.5 metres to over 25 metres. Assembled from individual corrugated steel plates bolted together on site, ViaPlate structures can be configured as arches, box culverts, ellipses, pear shapes and custom profiles — providing versatile solutions for road bridges, railway crossings, pedestrian underpasses, watercourse crossings and wildlife passages.
Every ViaPlate structure is designed to the relevant Eurocodes (EN 1993 for steel, EN 1997 for geotechnical design) and DMRB CD 354 for highway loading. The system’s inherent flexibility allows it to accommodate ground movements, differential settlement and seismic loading without the brittle failure risks associated with rigid concrete structures. ViaCon’s UK engineering team provides full structural design, backfill specification and installation supervision for every project.
ViaPlate® vs Concrete Bridges: Cost, Installation and Design Life
ViaPlate multi-plate steel bridges offer compelling advantages over conventional cast-in-situ or precast concrete bridges. Installation is typically 40–60% faster because ViaPlate structures require lighter foundations, no formwork, no curing time and can be backfilled immediately after assembly. Components are delivered flat-packed on standard vehicles, significantly reducing transport costs and site access requirements compared with precast concrete beams.
With appropriate corrosion protection — hot-dip galvanising plus optional polymer or epoxy coating — ViaPlate structures achieve a design life exceeding 100 years. The galvanised steel requires no painting or routine structural maintenance, delivering substantial whole-life cost savings. For projects where traffic disruption must be minimised, ViaPlate bridges can often be assembled alongside the existing route and backfilled during short possession windows or weekend closures.
Road Bridge and Underpass Design: From Concept to Completion
ViaCon’s structural engineering team supports every stage of the bridge design process. At feasibility stage, we assess span, cover depth, loading requirements and ground conditions to recommend the optimal ViaPlate profile and plate thickness. Detailed design includes structural analysis to Eurocodes, backfill specification to BS 8006 and corrosion protection specification based on the site’s environmental classification.
During construction, our engineers provide installation guidance and site supervision to ensure correct assembly sequence, bolt torque verification and backfill compaction compliance. For complex projects, ViaPlate structures can be combined with HelCor corrugated steel pipes for service diversions, Tunnel Pipe pedestrian passages and stormwater management systems — delivering integrated infrastructure solutions from a single supplier.
ViaPlate Properties
- Span: over 12 m
- Load capacity: can withstand any live load classes
- Corrugation profile: 200×55 mm
- Steel grade: from 235 MPa (Re)
- Material: hot dip galvanized steel
- Painting system/corrosion protection: accurate, depends on the class of the environment aggressiveness
- Available shapes: arch, round, elliptical, box– both closed and open
- Certification: CE Certificate of Factory Production Control No. 1023-CPR-0640F, BBA
Steel: The smarter choice
The strength and sustainability of steel provides durability and lifespan advantages for construction projects.
Value engineering
With consultative problem solving and the versatility of steel, value engineering ensures adaptable, cost-effective solutions.
Case studies
Discover the full range of real-world implementations and sustainability benefits of ViaCon solutions and expertise.
Welcome to the ViaCon design toolkit
We have put together a selection of useful tools, calculators, information and downloadable resources to help you find what you need quickly and get the most out of your ViaCon system.