Evaluation of Bridges Subjected to Military Loading and Dynamic Hydraulic Effects: Review of Design Regulations, Selection Criteria, and Inspection Procedures for Bridge Railing Systems.

摘要

This report presents the results of the initial phase of a research study with the objective of documenting the current state-of-the-practice, at the national level and for the 32 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico having military installations, related to the requirements, selection criteria, and inspection process for bridge safety barriers. The focus of the study was directed at identifying policies and recommended practices related to low speed, low volume road environments. This report includes basic policies and guidelines from pertinent Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) documents that deal with aspects of roadway geometric design, roadside design, and safety barrier practices and their relation to bridge safety. Information is included about FHWA-approved crashworthy bridge railing systems used by some states. State-specific tables that summarize the relevant information about the requirements and practices related to bridge safety barriers are included in this report. The tables were developed based on the review performed from the documents collected from each of the 33 jurisdictions and from FHWA and AASHTO sources. An inspection procedure and field forms were developed for bridge inspectors to use in performing an evaluation of traffic safety features on bridges. The procedure and forms were developed from a comprehensive review of documents and current practices and include elements that are necessary for the consideration of traffic and user safety on public roads. Future research phases could include validation of the inspection process and use of the forms through implementation exercises and consideration of existing roadway conditions in military installations.