AASHTO Journal - AASHTO Releases Two Bridge-Related Publications

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently released two bridge-related publications.

[Above image by AASHTO]

The new “Information Delivery Manual for the Design to Construction Data Exchange for Highway Bridges, 1st Edition,” is a reference for a standardized set of information to serve one specific use case: the exchange of model-based information to execute the construction.

AASHTO said goal of this new publication is to support the development of a range of technical solutions for computer interoperable information exchange for highway bridges and related structures in the United States.

It is designed for use by software vendors and state departments of transportation to map the information exchange requirement to version 4.3 of the Industry Foundation Classes schema.

To order a copy, visit the online AASHTO Store or click here to link directly to the publication’s page on the AASHTO Store’s website.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Interim Revisions to the “Guide Specifications for Bridges Vulnerable to Coastal Storms, 1st Edition,” clarify the design requirement for “Service Immediate” and “Repairable Damage,” as well as the definitions for “critical,” “repairable,” and “ordinary” bridges.

AASHTO added that it is necessary to have these 2023 Interim Revisions to have all current specification information.

Originally published in 2008, this guide contains comprehensive information on the design of bridges vulnerable to coastal storms, including methods for calculating wave forces on superstructures that are based, primarily, on numerical simulation of the state of pressure, velocity, and acceleration within the water, as a wave passes under or over bridge cross sections.

Coefficients needed for the numerical simulation process, known as the Physics Based Method or PBM, were developed through physical wave tank tests. Also included are current-induced forces guidelines that were the results of research conducted at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.

To order a copy, visit the online AASHTO Store or click here to link directly to the publication’s page on the AASHTO Store’s website.