LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Bridges

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a comprehensive and practical training course that addresses the requirements
and recommendations of the seismic provisions in both the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
Specifications and the AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design. The
course reviews the fundamental principles of seismic design including engineering
seismology, seismic and geotechnical hazards, and methods for modeling and analyzing
bridges subject to earthquake ground motions. The course also discusses seismic capacity
design methods of piers, foundations, superstructures and connections. Additionally, the
course presents the principles and pros and cons of common seismic isolation techniques,
typical isolation hardware, and construction and testing requirements consistent with the
recently updated AASHTO Guide Specifications for Seismic Isolation Design. Lastly, the
final lesson of the course addresses screening, evaluation, and selection of retrofit strategies
and measures following closely to the philosophy and process described in the FHWA
Seismic Retrofitting Manual for Highway Structures.

OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Identify geotechnical hazards and their impact on structural design

Discuss what Earthquake Resisting Elements (ERE) are and explain why some are
preferred and why some are not

List three Describe the essential parts of the capacity design process

Describe strategies for protecting bridge superstructures and methods for

accommodating lateral displacements

List the steps of foundation seismic design

Describe the seismic analysis and design process in accordance with the AASHTO
LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (LS) and AASHTO Seismic Guide Specifications
(GS).

Develop design response spectrum

Describe common processes embedded in both the LS and GS and explain the key
differences between the Force-Based (LS) and

Displacement-Based (GS) Methods.

Describe the key difference between the LS and GS seismic design methods

List basic purposes, component and testing requirements for a seismic isolation
system

Describe common retrofitting measures for bridge superstructures, columns and

foundations

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is intended to engage a target audience of bridge engineers with zero and up to 20
years of experience, through instructor-led presentations, discussions, Q&A, group activities,
walkthrough examples, hands-on student exercises, and demonstrations.

Seismic Design and Retrofit of Bridges

Seismic Design Philosophy for Bridges.
Seismicity and Geotechnical Considerations.
Conceptual Design.
Modeling and Analysis.
Design.
Design of Bridges Using Isolation and Dissipation Devices.
Seismic Assessment of Existing Bridges.
Retrofit Design.

Bridge Maintenance: An Asset Management

Approach

This workshop is designed for local government agency personnel responsible for the
development and implementation of a bridge maintenance program. Students will learn how to
utilize bridge safety inspection data to determine bridge maintenance needs, develop and
schedule a repair program, review basic bridge repairs, and respond to bridge emergencies.
TOPICS COVERED

Development of a bridge asset management program

Integration of condition assessments into operational planning
Prioritizing both proactive and reactive maintenance
Relationship between structure age and maintenance needs
Overview of typical maintenance procedures
Strategic planning for bridge emergencies

BRIDGE INSPECTION

Introduction
The bridge inspection process is a fundamental part of the effective management of bridges as set
out in the Code of Practice for the Management of Highway Structures. Bridge inspections can have
a significant impact on maintenance regimes, financial planning and, ultimately, the safety of the
public. Therefore, the importance of the bridge inspector cannot be understated.
The suite of courses is structured to cover the seven Core Competences of the DfT Bridge
Inspection Certification Scheme as follows:

Unit C1 Introduction to Inspections

Unit C2 Structures Types and Elements / Behaviour of Structures

Unit C3 Inspection Process

Unit C4 Defects, Descriptions and Causes

Unit C5 Investigation and Testing

Unit C6 Repair Techniques