LRFD Now!
Andy Zickler
VDOT Structure and Bridge
Division
Central Office
April 10, 2006
Andy.Zickler@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Status Update on LRFD
Implementation
• General Review of Implementation plan
• Training Plan
• Implementation Dates to Remember
• Review of Frequently Asked Questions
• Information Exchange

LRFD –
Implementation Review
LRFD transition is historic
– LRFD 1 st mandatory change in design philosophy in bridge design in USA
– ASD has been around since 1 st AASHO
Specification (1931)
– LFD introduced in 1970’s but never mandatory for design across nation
– LRFD mandated by FHWA for new bridge design beginning October 1, 2007

LRFD –
Implementation Review
Prepare!
– Prepare for
Training
– Prepare for
Design
– Prepare for
Construction
Train!
– Train for design
– Train for
Specifications
– Train for
Construction
Implement!
– Issue new AASHTO
Documentation
– Issue new VDOT
Documentation
Follow UP!
– Provide Lessons
Learned
– Check for other support needs

LRFD Implementation
PREPARE!
An LRFD Team has been named to design 2 complete bridges using
LRFD
Team Members
– Andy Zickler (Contact Person)
– Tony Barati
– Prasad Nallapaneni
– John Schuler
– Bryan Silvis

LRFD Implementation
PREPARE!
LRFD team will be generating complete design computations on 2 bridges
– One continuous steel bridge
– One continuous P/S bulb tee Bridge
During the design process, team members will be reviewing all parts of the puzzle that make up the contract drawings and specifications

LRFD Implementation
PREPARE!
VDOT contract elements will be reviewed for conformance with
LRFD
– Review will be 3 parts
• Not impacted
• Review complete with final recommendation for action
• Review incomplete with preliminary assessment for action PLUS recommendation for further review.

LRFD Implementation
TRAIN!
Train for Design
– 3 Introductory 1 day training sessions
• Structural Steel – Complete!
• P/S Concrete Design – Complete!
• Foundations – July, 2007
– 3 week long training Sessions
(VDOT Only)
• Superstructure Design – Taught by NHI
• Software training – Taught by VDOT personnel
• Substructure and Retaining Structures – Taught by NHI

LRFD Implementation
TRAIN!
Train for Specifications
– Structure of this training not determined, because extent of impact has not been determined.
– Minimum will be self study. Changes to specifications will highlighted, and points of contact for questions will be distributed
– Consultants will be advised of any
VDOT Guidelines, preferences, etc.

LRFD Implementation
TRAIN!
Train for Construction
– Structure of this training not determined, because extent of impact has not been determined.
– New specifications explicitly place responsibility for some items on contractor and outline specific requirements for submittal it is likely that we will see more
P.E. stamped submittals for things like erection, deck placement, shipping.
Learning what is required will be part of training at some point.
– Consultants, Contractors, VTCA, etc. will be kept abreast of developments

LRFD Implementation
IMPLEMENT!
Issue:
– VDOT Modifications to LRFD Spec and/or
Design Guidelines
– Sample Problems and Design Aids
– Revisions to VDOT Road and Bridge Standard
Specifications
(as necessary, if necessary)
– Revised Standards, S&B Standard Drawings
(as necessary, if necessary)

LRFD Implementation
DESIGN!!!!
April 2, 2007
– Begin “all” designs using LRFD
• Some widenings/rehabs may be excluded.
* Definition of “all” to be determined based on what team finds and LRFD plans may change

LRFD Implementation
Follow Up!
LRFD Team will not be disbanded on April 2, 2007
– LRFD Team will continue on for at least several months maybe until
October, 2008
– LRFD team will help evaluate whether follow up class training will be required and will help establish parameters

LRFD Training in Detail
3 days of Introductory Training
(19.5 contact hours total)
– Structural Steel – Complete!
– P/S Concrete – Complete!
– Foundations (July 11, July 12)
Classes will be lecture format
Classes will include consultant participants
Classes will only be offered on the dates shown, no repeats.
Classes will be in Richmond

LRFD Training in Detail -- Software
Examples to be developed (FIRM)
– 3 span straight steel plate girder
– 4 span bulb-tee, continuous for LL
– Concrete Multi-column pier (Rigid Frame Pier)
– Concrete Hammerhead pier
– Stub Abutment
– Full Height Abutment
– Wingwalls
Substructures will include piles and spread footings

LRFD Training in Detail -- Software
Additional Examples (TENTATIVE)
– Superstructure
• Rolled beam
• Continuous Conc. Slab
– LAMPAD, Tooth
– Substructure
• Integral Abutment
• MSE walls
• Pile Bent

LRFD Training in Detail -- Software
Additional Examples (TENTATIVE)
– Others under consideration
• Timber deck
• Timber superstructure
• Timber bents (pier and abutment)
– Suggestions?

LRFD --
Dates to Remember
Dates through June, 2006
– March, 2006 Two one day seminars for steel superstructures
– April, 2006 Two one day seminars for concrete super
– 5/26 Issue preliminary report on LRFD Impacts to VDOT Modifications to AASHTO
– 6/30 Complete 2 design projects
– 6/30 Issue final report on LRFD Impacts to
VDOT Modifications to AASHTO
– 6/30 Issue preliminary report on LRFD Impacts to other VDOT Documents

LRFD --
Dates to Remember
Dates in July, 2006
– Issue LRFD Specs and Interims to engineers
– 7/11 NHI one day seminar for substructure/foundations – Session 1
– 7/12 NHI one day seminar for substructure/foundations – Session 2
– 7/28 Issue final report on LRFD impacts to
VDOT documents

LRFD --
Dates to Remember
Dates in August thru December, 2006
– 8/1 Issue preliminary Design Documentation on 2 design projects
– 8/1-10/1 Release/review VDOT AASHTO Design Guides
– 12/1 release 1 st Ed. VDOT AASHTO LRFD Guides
– Determine if additional training is required

LRFD --
Dates to Remember
Dates in January thru April, 2007
– 3/19 Planned LRFD Training complete. Evaluate whether additional training required. Develop plan if required
– 3/30 Final reports on Standards/Office Practice
– 4/2 Implement LRFD on all new bridge projects

LRFD --
Dates to Remember
Dates in May, 2007 and
– 5/25 Final report on VDOT specifications/special provisions
– Support Software…
– Provide support for implementation hiccups

LRFD --
Frequently Asked Questions
• When is VDOT switching to LRFD?
• What happens after the LRFD training?
• When will I get my VDOT documents modified for
LRFD Spec?
• Will I have to design my next bridge in LRFD?
• After the VDOT training, then what?
Written Answers will be posted on Structure and Bridge LRFD page

LRFD --
Frequently Asked Questions (Con’t)
• Who will answer LRFD questions when we start designing?
• Where can I go to get more information on LRFD?
Written Answers will be posted on Structure and Bridge LRFD page

LRFD –
Information Exchange
Keeping you informed – 3 ways
– Structure and Bridge Division’s LRFD page at www.virginiadot.org
– Handouts from training, supplemental documentation
• Have you tried it, does the LRFD site meet your needs?
– Emails
• Too many?, not enough?, right info?, wrong info?
– VTCA
• Updates to Executive Leadership
• Coordination of consultant NHI Courses

LRFD –
Information Exchange
– Do you know how to get to us?
• Phone (George Clendenin, Julius Volgyi, Andy Zickler)
• Email (George Clendenin, Julius Volgyi, Andy Zickler)
• Thru VTCA
– Does this work for you?
• Do you need a better way?
• Do you have a better way
?

LRFD –
Open Questions
What else do you want to know?
– If we don’t know today when do you have to have an answer?
– What did we leave out?
What information do you need to plan for your business?
– When do you need it?
– What form should it be in?
Anything else?

LRFD Now!
THANKS!
Andy Zickler (804) 371-2776
VDOT Structure and Bridge Division
Central Office
April 10, 2006
Andy.Zickler@VDOT.Virginia.gov