BEC

Bridge Engineering Center

BEC|Research|In-Progress

Roadmap to Update Bridge Deck Design Requirements

Project Details
STATUS

In-Progress

START DATE

08/16/24

END DATE

02/15/26

FOCUS AREAS

Infrastructure

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, BEC
SPONSORS

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Zhengyu Liu

Research Engineer, BEC

Co-Principal Investigator
Brent Phares

Bridge Research Engineer, BEC

Co-Principal Investigator
Justin Dahlberg

Director, BEC

About the research

Section 9 of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (BDS) provides designers with requirements for the analysis and design of various bridge decks and deck systems for multiple types of bridges. Section 9, in the current AASHTO LRFD BDS, primarily addresses the design of bridge decks using three material types: concrete, metal (steel and aluminum), and timber. A review of the current and previous AASHTO LRFD BDS shows that no significant changes were made to the content through these different versions and interim revisions. In other words, the requirements for the analysis and design of bridge decks and deck systems have not been comprehensively updated since the adoption of the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) methodology in 1994. With advancements in materials, design methodologies, and the completion of extensive research over this period, a plan is needed to modernize the bridge deck design specifications. This plan includes the incorporation of new materials research, an evaluation of methods used in other bridge deck design codes, and bridge deck design philosophies that are more centric on service life rather than strength.

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