Chapter 3

PROCEDURES FOR
PLAN PREPARATION

SCDOT BRIDGE DESIGN MANUAL

April 2006
SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

Table of Contents

Section Page

3.1 DESIGN STAGES.....................................................................................................3-1

3.2 CONCEPTUAL BRIDGE PLANS............................................................................3-3

3.2.1 Purpose.....................................................................................................3-3
3.2.2 Coordination ............................................................................................3-3
3.2.3 Conceptual Plan Content..........................................................................3-3

3.3 PRELIMINARY BRIDGE PLANS...........................................................................3-5

3.3.1 Purpose.....................................................................................................3-5
3.3.2 Preliminary Plan Sheets Content .............................................................3-5

3.4 60% BRIDGE PLANS...............................................................................................3-7

3.4.1 Purpose.....................................................................................................3-7
3.4.2 60% Bridge Plans Sheets Content............................................................3-7

3.5 95% BRIDGE PLANS...............................................................................................3-10

3.6 SUBMIT FINAL BRIDGE PLANS ..........................................................................3-11

April 2006 3-i

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

3-ii April 2006

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

CHAPTER 3
PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

This Chapter provides an overview of the policies and procedures for the development of
SCDOT’s bridge plans with respect to content, reviews, and responsibilities. Chapter 2 provides
information on the bridge replacement project development process, and Chapter 6 provides
information on the preparation of bridge plans.

3.1 DESIGN STAGES

At designated stages of a bridge project, the designer is required to submit a draft set of bridge
plans for review by others to ensure that the project is on schedule, the design is appropriate for
the location, and the plans have addressed the appropriate design details. For all interim review
submittals, label the Title Sheet with the date and type of submittal (i.e., Conceptual,
Preliminary, 60%, 95%). Bridge plans are typically submitted for review at the following design
stages:

1. Conceptual Bridge Plans. These plans are submitted for projects where permanent
retaining structures are proposed at the bridge ends (e.g., MSE walls, permanent sheet
pile walls), for bridges over railroads, or when required by the Bridge Project Manager.
See Section 3.2 for information on Conceptual Bridge Plans.

2. Preliminary Bridge Plans. For typical bridge projects, the bridge designer receives
approval for the design of the bridge at this stage. See Section 3.3 for information on
Preliminary Bridge Plans.

3. 60% Bridge Plans. These plans are only submitted when required by the Bridge Project
Manager. See Section 3.4 for information on 60% Bridge Plans.

4. 95% Bridge Plans. This stage is reached when the bridge designer has completed the
structural design and drafting of all plan sheets that are within the Bridge Design
Section’s control. The bridge plans are then submitted for review. See Section 3.5 for
information on 95% Bridge Plans.

5. Submission of Final Bridge Plans for Letting. At this stage, the bridge plans are
completed and all signatures have been obtained. The plans are submitted to the
Assistant State Bridge Design Engineer – Specifications for processing. After
processing, the Final Bridge Plans are forwarded to the Engineering Reproduction
Services for printing. See Section 3.6 for information on the Final Bridge Plans
submittal.

April 2006 3-1

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

6. Construction Phase. Chapter 24 discusses the procedures for plan revisions and
construction changes after the bridge plans have been submitted to the Engineering
Reproduction Manager.

3-2 April 2006

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

3.2 CONCEPTUAL BRIDGE PLANS

3.2.1 Purpose

Conceptual Bridge Plans are generally only completed for large or complex bridge projects, for
projects where permanent retaining structures are proposed at the bridge ends (e.g., MSE walls,
permanent sheet pile walls), and for bridges over railroads. For smaller and less complex
structures, no formal set of plans is prepared for this design stage.

The basic objective of the Conceptual Bridge Plans is to determine the most appropriate
superstructure, substructure, and foundation type and configuration for the given or anticipated
site conditions. The conceptual bridge layout is based on the evaluation of many factors,
including geometry, site conditions, hydraulic conditions, structural loads, anticipated foundation
conditions, seismic criteria, environmental and right-of-way impacts, aesthetics, and construction
costs. See Chapter 12 for a discussion on structure-type selection and dimensions.

3.2.2 Coordination

If the existing roadway alignment is not used, the Preliminary Design Group within the Road
Design Section will determine the relocated roadway alignment. The Road Design Group will
prepare the Lines and Grades Plan Sheets. The Road Design Section will then forward this
information to the Project Manager. The Project Manager then submits this information to the
Hydraulic Engineering Section, Environmental Management Office, and Geotechnical Design
Section.

As the Hydraulic Engineering Section conducts the Hydraulic/Scour Study, this Section will
coordinate with the Project Manager, bridge designer, Geotechnical Design Section, and others
as deemed necessary to determine the appropriate superstructure, substructure, and foundation
type and configuration.

See Chapter 4 for information on bridge design coordination.

3.2.3 Conceptual Plan Content

The Conceptual Bridge Plans should include the following information:

• Title Sheet;

• plan and profile of the bridge showing the proposed type of superstructure (e.g.,
prestressed concrete, steel, flat slab) and substructures (e.g., drilled shafts, piles,
footings), and existing ground profiles at the bridge site;

• permanent retaining walls and temporary shoring;

April 2006 3-3

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

• superstructure cross section showing pertinent structural elements (e.g., number and type
of beams, width of bridge deck, superstructure depth);

• bridge rails, sidewalks, and/or shoulders;

• horizontal and vertical clearances;

• preliminary geotechnical subsurface information, if available;

• channel section and bent locations; and

• existing high-water elevation, if available.

The Assistant State Bridge Design Engineer will review the Conceptual Bridge Plans before the
Project Manager forwards this information to the Road Design Section. These plans are then
used to develop the Preliminary Bridge Plans.

3-4 April 2006

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

3.3 PRELIMINARY BRIDGE PLANS

3.3.1 Purpose

Preliminary Bridge Plans are intended to define the type of proposed structure and general
layout. Once the Road Design Section determines the roadway alignment and the conceptual
bridge layout is completed, the Bridge Design Section begins the preparation of the Preliminary
Bridge Plans. A review of the plans is generally conducted when the detailing of bridge plan
sheets is approximately 20% complete. The foundation design is not complete at this stage, but
should show the anticipated size and type based on the Preliminary Geotechnical Report.

If a formal set of Conceptual Bridge Plans was prepared, the bridge designer should address all
comments received from the review of the Conceptual Bridge Plans. If no formal Conceptual
Bridge Plans were submitted, the designer should address all items as described in Section 3.2 in
the preparation of the Preliminary Bridge Plans.

3.3.2 Preliminary Plan Sheets Content

At this stage, the bridge designer will begin preparing the plan sheets that ultimately will be part
of the Final Bridge Plans. The following lists the sheets and the information that should be
included on the sheets for the Preliminary Bridge Plans:

1. Title Sheet. The Title Sheet should be completed as outlined in Section 6.3 except for the
following information:

a. Index of Sheets. Include an Index of Sheets for the plan sheets that are actually
included in the Preliminary Bridge Plans.

b. Signature Blocks. Signatures are not required at this stage of plan development.

2. General Notes. Include the General Notes as shown in Section 6.3.

3. Roadway Typical Section Sheet. The bridge designer should obtain the latest Roadway
Typical Section Sheet from the Road Design Section. If the proposed bridge is over a
roadway, also include a typical section of the lower roadway.

4. Roadway Plan and Profile Sheet. The bridge designer should obtain the latest Roadway
Plan and Profile Sheets from the Road Design Section. If the proposed bridge is over a
roadway, also include the Plan and Profile Sheets of the lower roadway at the proposed
bridge location.

5. Bridge Plan and Profile Sheet. This Sheet should include all of the information discussed
in Section 6.3 that is available at the time of the submission, including all applicable
horizontal and vertical clearances at the bridge. In addition, show the proposed locations
for deck drainage, retaining walls, and/or temporary shoring.

April 2006 3-5

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

If the bridge is over a roadway, also show the horizontal alignment of the crossroad in the
Plan View and a cross section of the crossroad in the Profile View.

If the bridge is over a railroad, also show the horizontal alignment of the railroad in the
Plan View and a cross section of the railroad in the Profile View. The distance to the
nearest railroad milepost should be shown in the Plan View, and a table of top-of-rail
elevations should be shown in the Profile View.

6. Bent Sheets. Provide a typical section for each bent showing the anticipated dimensions.
Where two or more bents are essentially the same, they can be combined onto one sheet.
For information on dimensioning Bent Sheets, see Section 6.3.

7. Superstructure Details Sheets. The bridge designer should provide a Typical Section of
the superstructure as discussed in Section 6.3. Note that the reinforcing details, stud
locations, and special pouring locations discussed in Section 6.3 are not required at this
design stage.

8. Special Details. The bridge designer should include all necessary details for any designs
that are typically not used on SCDOT projects. If any part of the proposed structure will
use post-tensioning, provide a preliminary detail showing the proposed design for post-
tensioning.

9. Staged Construction Sheet. If applicable, include the Staged Construction Sheet(s).

Although the temporary traffic design may be incomplete, all construction sequencing
should be shown.

10. Railroad Cross Section Sheets. The Road Design Section will plot the railroad cross
sections of the railroad alignment and provide these sections to the bridge designer for
inclusion in the Preliminary Bridge Plans. Note that these Sheets are not included in the
later sets of design plans. The cross sections should be shown at 25-ft intervals for 100-ft
on each side of the centerline of the bridge. The new end fill slopes should be plotted on
the cross sections.

3-6 April 2006

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

3.4 60% BRIDGE PLANS

3.4.1 Purpose

For typical bridge structures, no formal set of plans are submitted at this design stage. 60%
Bridge Plans are generally only completed for large, complex, or unique bridge projects.

The 60% Bridge Plans will verify that the bridge design and plans are appropriate. The bridge
design should be 90% complete and detailing of the plans 60% complete. The bridge designer
should have received the Bridge Geotechnical Report by this time. The plan sheets will include
all data previously submitted with the Preliminary Bridge Plans and should address the
comments received from the Preliminary Bridge Plans review. All member sizes should be
finalized and concrete outlines shown. Reinforcing steel schedules may not yet be completely
detailed. Plans will be presented in a “stop-print” format to avoid clean-up just for this
submittal.

3.4.2 60% Bridge Plans Sheets Content

In addition to the sheet content discussed in Section 3.3, the Bridge Plans should also address the
following information:

1. Title Sheet. At this stage, the Index of Sheets should be updated to list all proposed
sheets for the project. However, not all plan sheets will be completed nor are signatures
required at this stage. For additional information on the Index of Sheets, see Section 6.3.

2. Summary of Estimated Quantities Sheet. The Tabulation of Estimated Quantities and

Summary of Estimated Quantities Table should be provided on this Sheet. Both tables
should include a list of pay items that will be used on the project; however, the final
quantities may not yet be known at this stage. The Tabulation of Estimated Quantities
should list the bid items according to each structure element, number of structure
element, construction phases, etc. For additional information on tabulating quantities, see
Section 6.3.

3. General Details Sheet. The General Details Sheet should be completed as discussed in
Section 6.3.

4. Roadway Typical Section Sheet. The bridge designer should obtain the latest Roadway
Typical Section Sheet from the Road Design Section.

5. Roadway Plan and Profile Sheet. The bridge designer should obtain the latest Roadway
Plan and Profile Sheet from the Road Design Section.

6. Staged Construction Sheet. If applicable, include the Staged Construction Sheet. Any
revisions or updates provided by the Traffic Engineering Division should be
incorporated. Section 6.3 provides information on the Staged Construction Sheet.

April 2006 3-7

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

7. Bridge Plan and Profile Sheet. Except for minor editing or minor design corrections, the
Bridge Plan and Profile Sheet should be essentially complete.

8. Boring Locations and Boring Logs Sheet. If the Geotechnical Design Section has
received the final Boring Log information from the Office of Materials and Research,
include this information at this stage. Otherwise, this information will be presented in
the 95% Bridge Plans.

9. Foundation Layout Sheet. To the maximum extent practical, the Foundation Layout
Sheet should be completed at this stage. For information on the Foundation Layout
Sheet, see Section 6.3.

10. Bent Sheets. Show the basic outline and dimensions of all bents. See Section 6.3 for
detailing information and dimensions that are required on Bent and Bent Details Sheets.
Note that the reinforcing details, reinforcing steel schedule table, and table of quantities
are generally incomplete at this design stage.

11. Superstructure Plan Sheet. The Superstructure Plan Sheet, as discussed in Section 6.3,
should be essentially complete except that the reinforcing details, reinforcing steel
schedule table, table of quantities, and slab pouring sequence are generally incomplete at
this design stage.

12. Superstructure Sheets. In addition to the Superstructure Plan Sheet, the following other
Superstructure Sheets, as applicable, should essentially be completed:

a. Framing Plan Sheet. The Framing Plan Sheet should be prepared as discussed in
Section 6.3.

b. Concrete Beam Details Sheet. For information on concrete beam details, see
Section 6.3.

c. Structural Steel Details Sheet. For detailing structural steel details, see Section
6.3 and Chapter 16.

d. Girder Details Sheet. For detailing girder details, see Section 6.3 and Chapter 16.

e. Camber/Blocking Diagram Sheet. See Section 6.3 for information on preparing a

camber/blocking diagram.

f. Bearing Details Sheet. Provide a separate sheet detailing the bearing details after
the Camber/Blocking Diagram Sheet. Sections 6.3 and 21.2 provide information
on detailing bearings.

g. Joint Details Sheet. Include the necessary details as discussed in Section 6.3.

h. Seismic Restrainer Details Sheets. Include these Sheets for projects that require
seismic restrainers; see Section 6.3.

3-8 April 2006

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

i. Top of Slab Elevations Sheet. Where applicable, provide a Top of Slab

Elevations Sheet as described in Section 6.3.

j. Sidewalk and Railing Details Sheet. Where applicable, add details for sidewalks
and railings. For information, see Section 6.3.

13. Approach Slab Sheet. See Section 6.3 for the appropriate design details that should be
incorporated.

14. Sheet Pile Wall/MSE Wall Sheet. The basic outline and dimensions should be provided
at this design stage.

15. Special Designs. The bridge designer should include all necessary details for any designs
that are typically not used on SCDOT projects. All post-tensioned designs must be
finalized and detailed.

16. Special Provisions. In addition to the plan sheets, the bridge designer should include a
list of anticipated Special Provisions plus a brief description of the item and work that
will be required in the Special Provisions. Results of any rock core compressive strength
testing should be provided for inclusion in the Special Provisions.

April 2006 3-9

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

3.5 95% BRIDGE PLANS

The 95% Bridge Plans are used for final review by the Department (e.g., District, Hydraulic
Engineering Section, Utilities Office). Consultant plans should have been through a formal
QA/QC process before submittal to SCDOT. All comments from the 60% Bridge Plans should
have been addressed. The type and extent of work proposed dictates the disciplines involved in
this review process.

At the end of this task, all plan sheets, quantities, specifications, cost estimates, and a
construction time estimate should be complete. Chapter 6 provides the layout requirements and
format of each individual sheet in the 95% Bridge Plans. Chapter 9 discusses the procedures for
entering the quantities into the Department’s Proposal and Estimates System (i.e., Trns•port),
reviewing the bridge plans, and signing the bridge plans.

3-10 April 2006

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

3.6 SUBMIT FINAL BRIDGE PLANS

The Final Bridge Plans should incorporate all amendments or revisions evolving from the 95%
Bridge Plans review.

After the bridge plans have been signed by the applicable individuals, the Project Manager will
forward them to the Assistant State Bridge Design Engineer – Specifications for processing. The
Assistant State Bridge Design Engineer – Specifications will then forward the Final Bridge Plans
to the Engineering Reproduction Services for printing. Chapter 9 provides the procedures for
preparing the Final Bridge Plans for letting.

April 2006 3-11

SCDOT Bridge Design Manual PROCEDURES FOR PLAN PREPARATION

3-12 April 2006