Sections 1 and 3 of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 5th Edition discuss various aspects of loads. The load factors are tabulated in Table 3.4.1-1 of the AASHTO LRFD and are associated with various limit states and further various load combinations within the limit states. This module discusses the various components of load and provides information beyond that contained in the AASHTO LRFD that will be useful to the designer. It also discusses and reviews the various limit-state load combinations to assist the designer in avoiding non-governing load combinations.
In the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, a limit state is defined as “a condition beyond which the bridge or component ceases to satisfy the...
Load rating is defined as the determination of the live load carrying capacity of a bridge using as-built bridge plans and supplemented by information...
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