Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Highway Bridge Substructures: Reference Manual and Participant Workbook: Fid-Bau Portal

Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Highway Bridge Substructures: Reference Manual and Participant Workbook

Highway substructures (i.e., foundations and abutments) have traditionally been designed using Allowable Stress Design (ASD) methods whereas superstructure components have been designed used Load Factor Design (LFD) methods. This application of ASD for substructure design and LFD for superstructure design leads to uncertain and incompatible safety margins in the design of structure components. Solution of this problem requires a coherent method of design for the structure system. Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) represents an approach in which applicable failure and serviceability conditions can be evaluated considering the uncertainties associated with loads and material resistances. Due to the differences between the substructure design process by ASD and LRFD, FHWA sponsored development of this training course to present the fundamentals of LRFD to bridge design engineers, geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists and others who are responsible for design of bridge substructures using the AASHTO LRFD Specification. This manual focuses on the geotechnical aspects of substructure design. It also is the reference manual and participant workbook for use with NHI (National Highway Institute) Course No. 132068.