April 16, 2006 Tim Keller, Administrator Office of Structural Engineering
Adoption of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications The AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications will be adopted by the Department for the design of new bridges and retaining walls. FHWA has tied federal bridge funding to the adoption of these specifications. FHWA has agreed to the AASHTO commitment to have all structures starting preliminary design by October 1, 2007 use the LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. In order to meet this commitment, ODOT is establishing the following criteria for projects: 1. Major Projects as defined by the PDP – Projects starting Step 6 after July 20, 2007 shall have the structures designed using the LRFD Bridge Specifications. 2. Minor Projects as defined by the PDP – Projects starting Step 3 after July 20, 2007 shall have the structures designed using the LRFD Bridge Specifications. 3. Minimal Projects as defined by the PDP – Projects starting Step 1 after July 20, 2007 shall have the structures designed using the LRFD Bridge Specifications. If adopting the LRFD Bridge Specifications creates undue hardship to a project, the District may submit a request to the Office of Structural Engineering to waive this requirement. The request must document the hardship to the project and include as a minimum: 1. Quantitative cost impacts. 2. Schedule impacts. 3. Corridor impacts. 4. Other impacts as noted. The Bridge Design Manual is being updated and will be available to meet the schedule listed above. The Bridge Standard Drawings and Design Data Sheets are also being updated. The schedule for updating the Bridge Standard Drawings and the Design Data Sheets is being developed. Local projects using Federal Aid must also use the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. For all local projects using ODOT PDP process, the following criteria must be followed to ensure federal funding: 1. Major Projects as defined by the PDP – Projects starting Step 6 after October 1, 2007 shall have the structures designed using the LRFD Bridge Specifications. 2. Minor Projects as defined by the PDP – Projects starting Step 3 after October 1, 2007 shall have the structures designed using the LRFD Bridge Specifications. 3. Minimal Projects as defined by the PDP – Projects starting Step 1 after October 1, 2007 shall have the structures designed using the LRFD Bridge Specifications. For all local projects using federal funding but not using ODOT PDP process, use the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications if preliminary design is started after October 1, 2007. Preliminary design is generally defined for this purpose as when vertical profile is established. This commitment does not apply to the rehabilitation of existing structures. until further notice, the design for rehabilitation of existing structures should be in accordance with the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, and the ODOT Bridge Design Manual. All questions should be directed to the Office of Structural Engineering.
Consultant Services Announcement: 10-02-06 Posting Date Adoption of the AASHTO LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design) Bridge Design Specifications The Office of Structural Engineering has announced a schedule for implementation of the new AASHTO LRFD bridge design specification, along with a schedule for training classes provided by the Department. Complete details can be found on this Office of Structural Engineering webpage (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Engineering/Structures/LRFD/Pages/default.aspx) The Department’s Consultants Committee has decided that completion of specific training courses will not be a prequalification requirement. However, beginning immediately all website postings for new consultant contracts that include bridge design will include a requirement to address the training and experience (in LRFD) of the proposed staff. Additionally, firms with current contracts that will require LRFD as a result of the project development schedule will be required to demonstrate an adequate combination of training and experience in the new design methods. |