Extensive research is being conducted by several private enterprises and the state agencies to improve the construction techniques and materials used for beam bridges. The beam bridge design is oriented towards the achievement of light, strong, and long-lasting materials like reformulated concrete with high performance characteristics, fiber reinforced composite materials, electro-chemical corrosion protection systems, and more precise study of materials. Modern beam bridges use pre-stressed concrete beams that combine the high tensile strength of steel and the superior compression properties of concrete, thus creating a strong and durable beam bridge. Box girders are being used that are better designed to undertake twisting forces, and can make the spans longer, which is otherwise a limitation of beam bridges. The modern technique of the finite element analysis is used to obtain a better beam bridge design, with a meticulous analysis of the stress distribution, and the twisting and bending forces that may cause failure.
