BEBO Bridge Precast Concrete Arch bridge over a highway.

BEBO®

The BEBO Bridge Concrete Arch System is a combination of cast-in-place concrete footings, precast arch elements, headwalls, and wingwalls. The system uses the fundamentals of soil-structure interaction to achieve superior strength and stability. The results are the largest precast arch spans in the world.

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Developed in 1966 in Switzerland, the BEBO Concrete Arch System is a precast concrete version of the arches used in Roman aqueducts built two millennia ago-which are still standing.

With spans from 12 to 102 feet, BEBO can be installed quickly with minimal long-term maintenance. The precise modular system offers set-in-place construction and attractive aesthetics. The system uses 3 distinct geometries – the E-series, C-series, and T-series – to ensure the optimum configuration for your site.

Benefits of the BEBO Arch System:

  • Buried Bridge Structure - Reduces maintenance costs and lowers life cycle costs as there are no bridge deck or joints at the deck/roadway interface.
  • Modular Bridge System - Rapid installation results in reduced overall project costs, delays and detours.
  • Designed “Site Specific” - Meets your site needs in full compliance with AASHTO and AREMA design standards for highway and railway use.
  • Full Scale Load Tested - Verified engineering design methodology.
  • Easy Site-Adaptability - Flexible layout options to fit within the right-of-way – curve the structure with a stream or adjust for vertical and horizontal clearance requirements.
  • Manufactured in controlled environment with standardized components - Manufacturing is fast and efficient allowing us to offer a high quality yet cost-effective bridge option.

The Contech Design Center

The Contech Design Center provides engineers unparalleled flexibility in the layout and configuration of a Contech Bridge System. Our latest release includes options previously unavailable in a free, web-based design tool:

  • A 2D/3D design environment with high resolution graphics including BIM model output.
  • The ability to import a PDF site plan and design a system to scale over the plan.
  • Provide instant access to customized, project-specific drawings.
  • Design multiple systems per project and save for future use.
  • Digitally collaborate using the new “Project Collaboration” feature. Share your project easily with anyone through the new project management page.

Contech Design Center

Technical information for this product is centrally located in the technical guides section.

Technical Guides
A culvert made from precast concrete.
Precast Structures for Culverts, Canals and Enclosures

Our CON/SPAN O-Series, B-Series and BEBO structures provide a total set-in-place construction solution for culverts and stream enclosures.

Precast Structures for Mining Portals, Rail Tunnels and Conveyor Enclosures

Our durable CON/SPAN and BEBO structures can meet heavy duty demands for industrial or mining applications. CON/SPAN and BEBO structures can be adapted for use in tunnel applications or improving mine entrances. The arch shape is also ideal for supporting aggregate piles and can be designed to accommodate site specific openings and equipment requirements. Underpasses and overpasses can be designed using Cooper E-80 loading, and these prefabricated systems allow for fast installation and easily accommodate staged construction methods for busy, active railroad tracks.

An airport bridge made from the CON/SPAN precast modular bridge system.
Precast Structures for Taxiway Bridges and Runway Extensions

Specifying precast bridges and underground structures for airport applications offers a number of advantages for airport designers. Fast installation shortens work schedules and disruptions, while the large load-carrying capacity of their arch is perfectly suited for high-load airport applications. CON/SPAN bridges have been used for airport taxiway underpasses and overpasses (easily bearing 747s, Antanov 225, and other heavy aircraft), runway extensions, as well as glycol storage tanks for de-icing solvents and tunnels for baggage tugs.

An bridge being construed using the CON/SPAN precast modular bridge system.
Precast Structures for Bridge Rehabilitation

CON/SPAN O-Series, B-Series and BEBO bridge structures can cost-effectively and quickly be installed to support concrete bridges that exhibit deterioration in the concrete superstructure and upper portions of the abutments – utilizing the existing foundation. In most cases, in a single day, the bridge arches can be positioned leaving the existing beam bridge and abutments in place.

An bridge over a stream made from the CON/SPAN precast modular bridge system.
Precast Bridges for Stream and Wetland Crossings

When environmental factors are a consideration, CON/SPAN O-Series and B-Series provide a natural choice because they offer clear spans from 12 to 65 feet with small footprints that minimize intrusion into natural areas. BEBO offers strength and stability, resulting in the largest precast arch spans available, allowing minimal impact to natural areas.

An bridge made from the BEBO bridge concrete arch system.
Precast Bridges for Pedestrian and Recreation Traffic Loads

CON/SPAN O-Series, B-Series and BEBO have been used in a variety of applications for pedestrian structures, including bike paths, ski tunnels under roadways, and golf courses. With an aesthetic appeal, these systems can provide access either over roadways or sensitive areas or under highways, even in high-fill applications.

An bridge made from the CON/SPAN precast modular bridge system.
Precast Bridges and Structures for Grade Separation

Our CON/SPAN and BEBO structures are commonly used for grade separations. These systems are strong enough to carry massive off-highway and railroad loads and are available in shapes to accommodate critical clearance boxes.

An bridge made from the BEBO bridge concrete arch system.
Precast / Prestress Bridges for Heavy Loading Applications

CON/SPAN, BEBO, and Contech Prestress structures can easily accommodate Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) loading and maintenance requirements and set-in-place installation makes them a great solution for stream crossings.

The Contech Advantage


Agency/Regulatory Guidance

Our team is ready to provide you with expert advice and assistance on local regulatory requirements, resulting in faster approvals.

 

Solution Development

Our engineers can review your requirements, weigh all options, and recommend the optimal solution to integrate with your site designs.

Technical Expertise

Our engineers can assist by providing product specific engineering calculations such as hydraulics, buoyancy, foundation reactions, and unit sizing.

Cost Estimates

We can quickly provide engineer’s cost
estimates to assist with your solution
selection process.

Site Specific Drawings

Our engineers can provide site-specific drawings for proposals, project meetings, and submittals, helping you be more efficient with your time.

On-site Assistance

Contractors know time is money, so we provide preconstruction meetings, delivery coordination, and on-site installation support to ensure a timely, smooth installation.