BACKGROUND

Design decisions have a direct influence on the performance of bridge decks and deck systems and need to be compatible with bridge owner construction, maintenance, and repair practices. Section 9 of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (BDS) addresses the analysis and design of bridge decks. The focus of Section 9 is on the information owners and designers need for the analysis and design of bridge decks on multiple types of bridges using a variety of bridge decks and deck systems.

The current 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. Research is needed to identify the steps for a systematic update of bridge deck design and analysis requirements.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to develop a roadmap to update bridge deck and deck systems design and analysis requirements.

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.

TASKS

PHASE I—Planning

Task 1. Conduct a literature review of research on the design and analysis of bridge decks and deck systems relevant to this research. The review shall include published and unpublished documentation, and research conducted through the NCHRP; Federal Highway Administration; other national and state agencies; and international organizations. 

Task 2. Conduct a survey of state departments of transportation on current policies focused on augmentation and deviations from AASHTO LRFD BDS related to the design and analysis of bridge decks and deck systems. The survey shall be submitted to the NCHRP for review and acceptance prior to distribution.

Task 3. Synthesize the results of the literature review and survey.

Task 4. Propose a table of contents and format for the roadmap to achieve the research objective. The roadmap will be fully developed in Phase II.

Task 5. Prepare an interim report that documents Tasks 1 through 4 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. The updated plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phase II.

PHASE II—Roadmap Development and Final Products

Task 6. Develop the roadmap according to the approved interim report. At a minimum, the roadmap shall include the identification of:

• Contents that are unclear, incorrect, outdated, or missing in Section 9 of the AASHTO LRFD BDS.
• Conflicts with other AASHTO LRFD BDS requirements.
• Other deck systems that have matured and should be added to the specifications.
• Research that has been completed and should be considered for adoption.
• Additional research needs to address the issues identified above.
• Key subject matter experts (e.g., AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures technical committees, industry groups, bridge owners, consulting engineers, etc.) that need to be involved in future implementation of the roadmap.

Task 7. Develop problem statement(s) to address the identified research needs. Include recommendations for funding sources (e.g., pooled fund, NCHRP, AASHTO, etc.)

Task 8. Submit the draft final deliverables including (1) the roadmap, (2) a final report that documents the entire research effort, and (3) a stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products.”

STATUS: A research agency has been selected for the project. The contracting process is underway.