Domestic Scan Proposal Form
AASHTO is soliciting topic proposals for a Calendar Year 2013 US Domestic Scan Program (NCHRP Panel 20-68A).
Each selected scan topic will be investigated through site visits to three to six locations for approximately a two week
period or less (type 1), by webinar (type 2) or peer exchange (type 3) conducted by a group of eight to 12 transportation
professionals with expertise in the selected topic area. Proposed topics should meet the following criteria:
 Address an important and timely need for information by transportation agencies;
 Are of interest to a broad national spectrum of people and agencies;
 Are complex and also “hands-on,” meaning they lend themselves particularly well to exploration through on-site
visits; and
 Are sufficiently focused that the tour participants are able to investigate and understand key issues in the limited
time available on the tour.
This form is designed to collect the full length of your proposal. Sections requiring essays have unlimited space for you to
use. Contact information has some limited text. Use your TAB key to advance to the area where you need to
complete information.
Proposals should be returned no later than OCTOBER 15, 2012.
Proposal Contact Information
Name
Bijan Khaleghi, PhD, PE, SE
Address
Title
State Bridge Design Engineer
E-mail
P.O.Box 47340, Olympia, WA
98504-7340
khalegb@wsdot.wa.gov
Member Department
Washington State DOT
Telephone number
(360) 705-7181
AASHTO Committee
T-9, T-14, T-18
Date of submission
10/15/2013
Title of Proposed Scan
Best Practices In Rehabilitation Of Highway Truss Bridges For Safety And Functionality
Problem Statement (What topic is to be examined? What drives the need for the scan? Why now?)
The need for rehabilitation of existing truss bridges that are, in most cases, either functionally obsolete or structurally
defficient is of great importance for safety of travelling public and mobility. The American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), to develop specific design, construction, and inspection guidance for various truss
bridge systems. The AASHTO Technical Committees on bridge rehabilitation and State Departement of Transportations
recognizes the benefits of extending the focus on existing truss bridges to include various methods attributes that improve
the safety and functionality of highway Truss bridges. The collapse of Skagit River Truss Bridge in Washington State and
other similar incidences are prime examples of great importance for the national truss rehabilitation scan.
The domestic scan would facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices for gusset plate rehabilitation and retrofitting
through trusses for low clearance, etc. and combine with current knowledge base in developing best practices for
rehabilitation of existing truss bridge design that are classified as functionally obsolete or structurally defficient.
Scan Scope (What specific subject areas are to be examined? Which cities and states might be visited? Which
agencies/organizations (including specific departments or types of staff if applicable)?
The national truss bridge scan will include truss bridges on the state highway system as well as those carrying local
streets and roads. The scan will focus on truss bridge rehabilitation practices, safety to travelling public, and design and
rehabilitation standards practiced by state DOT’s and local agencies. Consideration will be given to verical and horizontal
clearnces, traffic management, load posting. maintenance and safety inspection, and security features in place. The scan
will also include forensic inspection, rehabilitation, design, and repairs with respect to existing truss bridges. The
domestic scan identifies best practices with regard to determination of as-built gusset plate connection geometries and
load rating of the connections. The best practices with regard to permitting and routing oversize and overweight vehicles
will be included in the scope.
The scan will focus on states with significant number of truss bridges in their inventory.
Anticipated Scan Results (What key information is to be gained? What information is to be shared after the scan? Who
would the audience be for this information?)
The domestic scan will augment information already identified in the FHWA guide for Bridge Rehabilitation, which
considered truss bridge safety and functionality. One of the objectives will be to identify specialized technology and
standards used in monitoring or inspecting structural elements to ensure optimal performance and minimize downtime
during maintenance or rehabilitation.
The scan findings will be essential in developing a guidance on best practices with regard to determination of as-built
gusset plate connection geometries, load rating of the connections, permitting and routing oversize and overweight
vehicles. The scan findings will be published and made available for AASHTO consideration in advancing truss bridge
guidance and standards.
Benefits Expected (Including potential impacts on current technology or procedures)
The domestic truss bridge rehabilitation scan will facilitate the development of AASHTO guidance and standards for
roadway truss bridges in the United States. With a national inventory on truss bridges, and better information on existing
truss bridge attributes, we will be in a better position to identify truss bridge infrastructure needs with respect to safety and
functionality.
We will have better information to assess programmatic needs such as program level cost, scope and schedule for
improving truss bridge security, traffic and emergency operations, maintenance and inspection best practices, that will
likely go along with future design and rehabilitation standards. The scan will include cost estimating for rehabilitation of
existing truss bridges, gusset plate rehabilitation, retrofitting through trusses for low clearance,maintenance and repairs
for planning purposes.