Lateral bridge PM study material

[user 32699]

I am interested to know what everyone used to study for the afternoon portion of the lateral exam for bridges. We typically use the seismic guide specification in design rather than the main code that is used for the exam. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Lukus]

One great piece study material for me was Illinois DOT Seismic Guidelines:.http://www.idot.illinois.gov/assets/uploads/files/doing-business/memorandums-&-letters/highways/bridges/bm-design-guides/bm 3.15 seismic design.pdf  This was a great exercise in calculating the stiffness and periods.   Also, David Connor's Bridge problems book will help familiarize you with different sections of AASHTO; even if you are familiar with AASHTO, David does a good job of touching on some of the lesser used sections.   These are a just a few that come to mind...

Edit:  I see that you are more familiar with AASHTO Guide Specifications (Displacement based code).   Yeah, you really need to study AASHTO LRFD Bridge well.  Really check out the detailing requirements of Chapter 5.10.11.  There definitely are differences between AASHTO Bridge Specs and AASHTO Guide Specs.    

 

[user 32699]

Thanks Lukus. Yeah, most states with moderate to high seismic use the LRFD Guide Spec or the Caltrans Seismic Design Criteria which was the starting point for the guide spec. It seems somewhat misguided to have the exam focus on the code that is only really used in areas of minimal seismic, but that is what we have to work with. I have a few SDC D foundation designs coming up so I'll try to design them on my own time using the main code. I do have David's book (the vertical was great!) and will use the Illinois DOT code for sure. Thanks!

 

[Lukus]

Seismic Design Category D? Don't you mean Seismic Zone 4?   If you are proficient using the Guide Specs, it shouldn't be too hard to switch over to the LRFD Bridge Specs.  There is a NHI "LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Bridges Reference Manual" (FHWA-NHI-15-004) that compares both methodologies.  You should also be able to find some documentation from the accompanying NHI course.   

 

[David Connor SE]

Thanks for the good words about my book!

I have the lateral bridge book as well that has 40 wind and seismic practice problems. Including seismic detailing, etc. 

Good luck on the lateral exam!

 

[user 32699]

Thanks for the good words about my book!

I have the lateral bridge book as well that has 40 wind and seismic practice problems. Including seismic detailing, etc. 

Good luck on the lateral exam!

I have this one as well, excited to put it to use.