What Is Mandatory in Bridge Designs?
Bridges are designed according to a criteria of standards and procedures put in place by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The specifications are complex and technical, so a lot of time and inspections have to be put into the design to gain approval.
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Features
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Much of the mandatory specifications regard the areas of geometric layout, design load, materials, super and substructure design, wall design and load ratings. The structure's size and building materials determine what has to be inspected in those areas.
Prevention/Solution
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Bridges are always inspected for the factors associated with threats or damage. Explosions, collisions, fires, chemical hazards, wind and water threats can affect the permanent structure of the bridge and therefore must be designed to handle these situations. Consequences can result from these factors, so inspections every two years are mandated by the Federal Highway Administration.
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Size
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Length and weight are important in the design as well. The bridge must be able to cover the full length of whatever geographical feature is beneath it. Plus, this length must be able to accommodate daily traffic from trucks, cars, and tractor-trailers as well as the normal wear and tear of the bridges material and foundation.
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References
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- Photo Credit bridge image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com
