Interdisciplinary Professional Programs
College of Engineering

Highway Bridge System Design

This intensive course introduces the fundamentals of bridge design with a focus on Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) as outlined in AASHTO’s 7th edition. Participants will explore practical applications through detailed examples involving steel beams, concrete decks, prestressed members, and seismic considerations. Special topics such as FRP materials, precast components, and post-tensioned girders provide a forward-looking perspective on bridge innovation.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Apply AASHTO LRFD principles to design steel, concrete, and prestressed bridge components.
  • Analyze structural loadings, limit states, and seismic considerations in bridge systems.
  • Evaluate emerging materials and construction techniques such as FRP, precast decks, and reinforcement-free systems.

Who Should Attend:

  • Structural engineers seeking to expand into bridge design or deepen their LRFD expertise.
  • Technicians, consultants, and contractors involved in bridge planning, design, or review.
  • State and local agency personnel responsible for infrastructure development and compliance.

Future course dates coming soon!

Course Details: RA00326

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Course Outline

Introduction to LRFD Highway Bridge Design approach (AASHTO 7th ed.)

Limit states and combined loadings

Bridge Floor Concrete Deck Design

Steel Bridge Design: Step-by-Step, 3-Span, Composite Action, 30-ft Roadway, Major Highway Bridge

Design Example

Pier Hammerhead Design: Step-by-Step, 3-Span Steel Bridge

Seismic Design

Prestressed/Precast Concrete Bridge Design

An Historic Look at Bridge Design

Post-tensioned Spliced Girder Bridge Design

Special Topics

  • Use of composite reinforced polymer materials (FRP)
  • Precast substructures
  • Precast decks
  • Reinforcement free decks
 

Instructors and Program Director

  • Instructors

    Michael Garlich

    Vice President

    Gustavo Parra-Montesinos

  • Program Director

    Andi Bill

Total Credits:
CEU 1.4, 
PDH 14, 

"Great course for someone new to bridge design or a bridge design veteran."
—Troyer Ritter, Shoemaker & Haaland PE Coralville, Iowa

"Dr. Oliva is very knowledgeable on the subject and does a very wonderful job explaining the topics for everyone to understand."
—Jacob Allen, Structural Engineer Lin Engineering Springfield, Illinois

"This course was a great refresher and also brought to light a few things that I had not considered before."
—Logan Sallee, Bridge Engineer Palmer Engineering Winchester, Kentucky

"Very knowledgeable presenter, excellent instructor."
—Andrew Wilkin, Engineering Supervisor Mabey, Inc. Orlando, Florida

Related Courses

No past courses found for this program.

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