AASHTO LRFD 8th Edition

[bridgebuster]

In case you haven't caught up with the 7th Edition, or the 6th, the 5th, etc, get ready for the 8th Edition. There's a good article in the September issue of Modern Steel Construction about the major changes.

Link

From what I read, it seems like AASHTO is learning to be practical in some situations.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Yay, for precast deck panels. Anything that makes it easier to design for those will be appreciated.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[bridgebuster]

I agree. I have a project under construction - it was bid as CIP but was changed to panels by the owner afterwards - and it's been a headache working out the pockets. Too late now but for future projects it'll be good.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

The full depth deck project we're casting right now uses a continuous 1/2 deck thickness void above the bridge girders for the studs with exposed aggregate finish. Way easier to cast than discrete pockets and I imagine much simpler for the EOR to design the shear studs. About the only headache with that was keeping the panels from cracking during lifting and handling, but we managed well enough. Probably uses a lot more UHPC mix as well but I'm sure it's easier to pour, so a wash. If you can switch to such a system on your project it might pay dividends.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[bridgebuster]

Contractor opted for pockets to save on UHPC. Right now, it's too late to change; about 80% of the panels are fabricated.