SECTION 3: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Since the DPWH is in the process of updating and revising its Design Guide Specifications, these
Specifications shall comply with the other provisions and requirements of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge
Design Specifications, 2012 or later edition for specific requirements not contained herein. However,
once the DPWH Design Guide Specifications have been completed, these Specifications shall be used
together with the DPWH Design Guide Specifications.

3.2 BRIDGE OPERATIONAL CLASSIFICATION

(1) For the purpose of seismic design, bridges shall be classified into one of the following three
operational categories:
Table 3.2-1 Operational Classification of Bridges
Operational
Classification (OC)
OC-I
(Critical Bridges)

OC-II
(Essential Bridges)

OC-III
(Other Bridges)

Serviceability Performance

Description

Bridges that must remain

open to all traffic after the
Level 2 design
earthquake, i.e. 1,000 year
return period event.
Other bridges required by
DPWH to be open to
emergency vehicles and
vehicles for
security/defense purposes
immediately after an
earthquake larger than the
Level 2 design earthquake
(AASHTO recommends a
2,500-year return for
larger earthquakes).

Important bridges that meet any of the following

criteria:
Bridges that do not have detours or alternative
bridge route (e.g. bridges that connect islands
where no other alternative bridge exist),
Bridges on roads and highways considered to be
part of the regional disaster prevention route,
Bridges with span 100m,
Non-conventional bridges or special bridge
types such as suspension, cable stayed, arch, etc.
Other bridge forms such as double-deck bridges,
overcrossings or overbridges that could cause
secondary disaster on important
bridges/structures when collapsed,
As specified by the DPWH or those having
jurisdiction on the bridge.

Bridges that should, as a

minimum, be open to
emergency vehicles and
for security/defense
purposes within a short
period after the Level 2
design earthquake, i.e.
1,000 year return period
event.

Bridges located along the following roads/highways:

Pan-Philippine Highway,
Expressways (Urban and Inter-urban
expressways),
Major/Primary national arterial highways
(North-South Backbone, East-West Lateral,
Other Roads of Strategic Importance),
Provincial, City and Municipal roads in view of
disaster prevention and traffic strategy.
Additionally, bridges that meet any of the following
criteria:
Bridges with detours greater than 25 kilometers
As specified by the DPWH or those having
jurisdiction on the bridge

All other bridges not

required to satisfy OC-I or
OC-II performance.

All other bridges not classified as OC-I or OC-II

The DPWH or those having jurisdiction shall classify the bridge into one of the above three operational
categories.

3-2

The Project for Study on Improvement of Bridges through Disaster Mitigating Measures
for Large Scale Earthquakes in the Republic of the Philippines