Thomas Saad, P.E.

Senior Structural Engineer

Federal Highway Administration
Phone: (708)283-3521
Design and Analysis Tools
LRFR Implementation Webinars
New FHWA Design Manuals and Design Examples
Design and Analysis Training
Research
Long-Term Bridge Performance Program (LTBPP)
Policy and Regulatory Issues
NBIS Update
NBI Coding Guide Update
NTIS
Etc…
Topic No. 1: Implementation of the Load and
Resistance Factor Rating Method, October 5,
2011

Topic No. 2: LRFD/LRFR Design and Load Rating

of Culverts, November 17, 2011

Topic No. 3: LRFR Load Rating of Segmental

Concrete Bridges, January 19, 2012

Topic No. 4: State-Specific LRFR Load Rating

Guidelines, April 19, 2012
Topic No. 5: Application of Load Testing in Bridge
Load Rating (1), September 20, 2012

Topic No. 6: Application of Load Testing in Bridge

Load Rating (2), December 6, 2012

Topic No. 7: Application of Computer Software in

Bridge Load Rating (1), February 28, 2013

Topic No. 8: Application of Computer Software in

Bridge Load Rating (2), April 25, 2013

Recordings:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/lrfd/
September 12, 1:00 – 3:30 pm EDT
Focus on evaluation of gusset plates
New gusset design/analysis provisions
Gusset plate load rating methods case study
Evaluating deteriorated gusset plates
Lubin.gao@dot.gov
www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge
Steel Bridge Design Handbook – Available
Fatigue Repair and Retrofit Manual - Available
Refined Analysis Manual – early 2014
PT Box Girder Design Manual – early 2014
FHWA PT Installation and Grouting Manual –
release expected very soon
Manual on Engineering Stability in
Construction of Bridge Superstructures – early
2014
NHI Course 130081: LRFD for Bridge Superstructures

NHI Course 132082: LRFD for Bridge Substructures and ERS

NHI Course 130092: LRFR for Highway Bridges

NHI Course 130093: LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Bridges

NHI Course 130094: LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of

Tunnels, Walls and other Geotechnical Features

NHI Course 130095: LRFD: Design and Analysis of Skewed and

Horizontally Curved Steel Bridges
1 ½ day seminar (9 PDH)
Overview of FHWA Seismic Retrofit
Manual
Develop design response spectrum
identically to current LRFD
Delivered in IN, IL, NY, NJ, GA, MA, TN, UT
Thomas.saad@dot.gov
Zone 1-SDC “A”
Zone 2-SDC “B”
Zone 3-SDC “C”
Zone 4-SDC “D”
Zone 1-SDC “A”
Zone 2-SDC “B”
Zone 3-SDC “C”
Zone 4-SDC “D”

SITE CLASS “B”

Zone 1-SDC “A”
Zone 2-SDC “B”
Zone 3-SDC “C”
Zone 4-SDC “D”

SITE CLASS “D”

Zone 1-SDC “A”
Zone 2-SDC “B”
Zone 3-SDC “C”
Zone 4-SDC “D”

SITE CLASS “E”

Definition of Bridge Performance:
Bridge Performance Encompasses How Bridges Function
and Behave Under the Complex and Interrelated
Factors they are Subjected to Daily:
― Traffic Volumes ― Method of Design
― Loads ― Construction
― De-Icing Chemicals ― Materials
― Freeze-Thaw Cycles ― Age
― Environment ― Maintenance
― Extreme Events History
Vision: The LTBP Program will Serve as the National
Platform for Strategic Long-Term Investigation of In-
Service Bridge Performance.
Mission: Foster Improved Bridge Performance, Health,
Stewardship, and Management Through the Analysis of
Data Collected Over a 20-Year Period on a Large
Representative Sample of U.S. Highway Bridges. To
achieve this, the Program is Designed to Produce and
Support Improved Deterioration Models, Reliable Life-
Cycle Cost and Forecasting Models, Design Procedures,
and Decision-Making Tools.
 Coring USW

Impact Echo

GPR
Electrical Resistivity
Initial East Coast N/S Bridge Corridor
“Robot”
Remote controlled
Cameras
GPS
4 NDE
technologies
Deployed on 24
bridges
High-Resolution
Imaging

USW (Modulus)
IE
Progress made nationally on 20 of 23 metrics
1 metric stayed the same at 100% Satisfactory
2 metrics re‐defined with no comparison
available
Significant improvement in 5 metrics
3 frequency, scour POAs, QC/QA
CY 2011 PY 2013 % Change
Satisfactory 70.5 % 79.3 % 8.9 %
Active 29.0 % 20.6 % (8.4 %)
Improvements
Unsatisfactory 0.5 % > 0.08 % (0.42 %)
FHWA/AASHTO Task Force in
2011
Some metrics revised for 2012
assessments
Remainder revised for current
cycle
Issued latest version of
metrics on 4/1/13
May training for FHWA staff
Risk considerations,
commentary, incorporated
Q&As
Trends show results of significant efforts to
reduce errors
Error = bad or missing data
> 60 Million pieces of data in NBI

Number of Errors
2009 2010 2011 2012
115,811 20,284 6,967 4,155
Central online library of videos and resources
for local agencies
Each video addresses a single topic
condenses complex regulations and requirements
of the Federal-aid Highway Program into easy-to-
understand concepts and illustrated examples
Launched August 27, 2012 at the American
Public Works Association (APWA) International
Public Works Congress and Exposition
SNPRM published in Federal Register
Comments due by September 30, 2013
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/07/30/2
013-17875/national-tunnel-inspection-standards#h-4
TOMIE Manual at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/
National Tunnel Inventory and Coding Guide being
developed
MAP-21 requires AMS for NHS bridges and
pavements
States document how they will do business
State must define performance measures for
bridges and pavements
Penalties if performance not met
http://youtu.be/OGiJeUGI4kI
Mandated by MAP-21
Methodology, training, and qualifications for
inspectors
Frequency of inspections
Three years to complete (October 2015)
Risk-based inspection intervals

Is 24 months the right interval for

both of these bridges?
Procedure for National Certification of Inspectors
Procedures for Reporting “Critical Findings”
Relate to structural or
safety- related
deficiencies of
highway bridges

Monitoring activities
and corrective actions
taken in response to a
critical finding
MAP-21 mandates
Procedures for annual compliance reviews
Penalty for noncompliance with the NBIS
Establishes timeframes
States notified of noncompliance concerns by Dec
31st
45 days to resolve or establish a PCA
Implement penalty if no PCA or resolution
Federal Register Notice being developed