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AASHTO
4

AASHTO

AASHTO

(OP)
Sorry for the double post - I originally asked this is the wrong forum.

Does anyone know where I can find an example of seismic and wind loading for bridges per AASHTO?  I have the third Ed. of AASHTO (I know it's an edition behind for the exam, bit that is what it is at this point). I can't make heads or tails of it and I barely have time to finish tanning the codes I'm familiar with.  

RE: AASHTO

There should be some examples in either six-minute solutions or the NCEES's sample exam booklet. You couldn't find any in there?

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
Not so funny story - working 60+ hours per week for the last several months, I just started tabbing my codes/standards two weeks ago. When I realized how close the test was I made the decision (maybe incorrectly) that the little time I had left was better spent tabbing my codes than going through a reference manual, so I never ordered any of the study guides!

Even this weekend (with less than 3 weeks til the exam) was split between actual work and tabbing.

Thanks for that reference, I'll Check it out.

RE: AASHTO

I am studying for SE-II myself. But, I am glad I don't have to deal with any of the AASHTO stuff for that.

RE: AASHTO

I would suggest buying 6-minute solutions atleast. It definitely helped me get into the exam mode. Also, the problems in the book are similar to what you will see in the actual exam. Anyways...good luck with your preparation.

RE: AASHTO

EIT - If you're using AASHTO LRFD you're 2 editions behind, but don't worry about it.

Wind Loading - Section 3.8
Seismic - Section 3.10

The references by strucguy are very good. However, the steel bridge example doesn't go into seismic, but the PCI example is good enough for a regular bridge.

Good Luck on the exam/

RE: AASHTO

If you pass, will you change your name?

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
Bridgebuster-
The AASHTO that someone let me borrow is AASHTO LRFD Bridge Deisgn Specifications 3rd Edition 2005 Interim Revisions.  I'm hoping it's recent enough that I can get out of it what I need to.   

I might change it, but not sure to what yet.  StructuralPE is already taken.  

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
Sorry to be a pain, but where does it tell you how to calc the period (Tm)?   I didn't see that in 3.10, is it in another section?

RE: AASHTO

When I took my PE exam, being from Canada, if I didn't have the right "code" - I quoted the code I used . . .

RE: AASHTO

structuralEIT - The period is calculated as in physics.  You will need the stiffness and tributary mass of a Bent or pier.  Then the circular freqency, omega-n can b found by taking the square root of stiffness/mass.  The fundamental period or natural period is determined by dividing 2*pi by omega-n.

For the definition of Tm,  the m is for multimodal so if your doing a single mode analsys, m is equal to n.

Past exams the question is usually determine the transverse response or longitudinal response and not both.  I've heard/seen (exam examples such as the Illinois SE study guide) longitudinal response more than others.  If the pier is monolithic with the superstructure then you'll assume double curvature flexure in the pier for longitudinal direction and the stiffness is the summation of 12EI divided by height cubed.  If the pier is not monolithic with the superstructure then you can use the simple cantilever stiffness, 3EI divided by height cubed.

Also, I answered your question in another post but appears it was deleted.  You may want to check this link for seismic examlples.

http://www.atcouncil.org/pdfs/ATC492toc.pdf

else check more FHWA sites.

Good luck/

Regards,
Qshake
pipe
Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.
 

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
QShake-
I did see your post in the other thread, and I bookmarked the page you sent.  Thanks for the link and the explanation on Tm!

RE: AASHTO

The Structural Engineering Reference Manual put out by NCEES has good bridge seismic examples.  I'm looking for help on wind for bridges myself.

SEIT, I would say that the SERM is just about a required resource for the exam.  It is a great summary book, and really just a great reference to have after the test.  Regarding AASHTO, you don't have to buy it, but I would strongly recommend getting the correct version.  The code changes drastically from year to year.

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
How do you get it without buying it?  I don't know any bridge engineers, and I borrowed the version that I'm using.

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
So I broke down and bought the SERM with overnight shipping. I should have a solid 12-16 hours with it over the next two weeks.  

A couple things I noted by glancing at the beginning - it says a thorough review should be around 300 hours!!!!!!!!  Is that true?  I've spent about 16-20 hours tabbing and reading parts of codes that I've had little experience with. - I've done no working of problems whatsoever.  Am I doomed here?

Also, it talks about bringing in BOXES of books. Is that common? I was palnning on codes standards and maybe salmon and Johnson, but not so many books that I couldn't carry in one trip.

RE: AASHTO

Quote:

I was palnning on codes standards and maybe salmon and Johnson, but not so many books that I couldn't carry in one trip.
Codes and references should suffice. Maybe an analysis textbook or some such. There is no point taking textbooks to the exam. You won't just have the time to flip through and figure out how to solve it if you don't already have an idea.

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
That was my thinking Slick. Either you know it or you don't.  I don't think you can figure it out during the test.

RE: AASHTO

StructuralEIT -

I took all the main material design books that I used for work.  That way I was familiar with the content.  I will caution you to take a good Foundation text like Das or Bowles but preference is for Das as it has many examples.  There is ample opportunity to have questions on retaining walls and temporary walls such as sheet pile or even permanent sheet pile apps like bulkheads.

The SERM is good but be careful of following it exactly as the first edition had several (scratch that) hundreds of errors.  All of them minor in nature such that the overall methods are ok but the detailed comps are not correct.

Again, good luck, I look forward to hearing from StructuralSE soon!

Regards,
Qshake
pipe
Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.
 

RE: AASHTO

StructuralEIT,

I did the same as you. Both work and real life were crazy, so I spent only a few days thoroughly tabbing the codes. I only carried in the codes and the reference book. I mainly work with bridges, so i had some doubts going in. I managed to pull it off. I think the keys were to not think too much into the questions and to quickly find information in the code. Good luck.

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
Thank you to everyone for the input.  I did get the SERM on Friday and I spent about 6 hours or so reviewing it and doing problems over the weekend.  I looked at everything except prestress and bridges, though I did glance through the bridge chapter.  The reason for that was I wanted to gain some extra confidence in the areas I am strong in and I feel it was very beneficial.  I definitely feel a lot more prepared and confident now with at least some kind of expectation on what to expect.  

I'm going to spend the upcoming weekend reviewing prestress and bridges.

Thanks again to everyone for your input.

RE: AASHTO

SEIT, the SERM has a free download for the Bridge chapter that is updated for the current code (2008) that the exam is based on.  I don't think it's too different, but it's worth getting.

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
Thanks!  I'll download that before I dive into bridges this weekend.

RE: AASHTO

Don't forget your steel manual like I did.  Five minutes before the test I realized I did not have it.  Broke out in a big sweat.  Should have just gone to the airport and went home.

Passed it the second time.

RE: AASHTO

(OP)
Thanks to all for all of the input and advice. I borrowed a sample question book from someone in my office who took the exam last year and um blowing through it. I think after I finish up this sample question book I'm done my review/study.  I'm feeling very good about the exam.

Thanks again to everyone!

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