ODOT BRIDGE

LOAD RATING
A basic how and why
overview
1
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Definition:
A Bridge is ANY structure that…
1.) is erected over a depression or obstruction
(water, highway, railway, etc.)
AND
What is a Bridge?
2.) has a track or passageway for carrying traffic or
moving loads
AND
3.) has an opening greater than 20’-0” (measured
along centerline of roadway between undercopings of
abutments or spring lines of arches, or extreme ends of
openings for multiple boxes; it may also include multiple
pipes, where the clear distance between openings is less
than half of the smaller contiguous opening)
2
What is a Bridge? (cont.)
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
Definition (based on the Ohio Revised Code):

A Bridge is ANY structure that…

1.) is on, above, or below a highway

AND

2.) Is greater than or equal to 10’-0”

(measured the same way as in the FHWA definition)

3
 The “Load” aspect
of
“Bridge Load Rating”

4
There are Two Primary Types of
Loads used in Load Ratings?
⚫ Permanent or Dead Loads
– Structure self weight
– Superimposed dead loads (barriers,
overlays, utilities, etc.)

⚫ Transient or Live Loads

– Vehicular loads
– Impact loads
5
 Three Types of Live Loads in Ohio
⚫ Design or inventory loads
– HS20-44, HS25, HL-93
⚫ Ohio Legal Loads
– 2F1, 3F1, 4F1, 5C1

⚫ Permit Loads & Superloads

Note: The Feds only require highway loads to be used for
load rating. Consequently, even though pedestrian
and railroad structures fall under the definition of
“Bridge”, and they are inspected and inventoried,
they are not load rated
6
AASHTO HS 25 Truck
(current Ohio design load)

HS 25

40k
40k

10k
Varies 14’
(14’-30’)

7
AASHTO HS 20-44 Truck
(still to be used for Ohio load ratings)

HS 20-44

32k
32k

8k
Varies 14’
(14’-30’)
8
Ohio Legal Loads (2F1)

2F1
10k 2F1

20k
10’

9
Ohio Legal Loads (3F1)

3F1
12k

17k

17k
10’ 4’

10
Ohio Legal Loads (4F1)

4F1
12k

14k

14k

14k
10’ 4’ 4’

11
 Ohio Legal Loads (5C1)

5C1
12k

17k
17k

17k
17k
12’ 4’ 31’ 4’

12
What Is Bridge Load Rating?
The safe live load carrying
capacity of a highway structure
is called its load rating.

It is usually expressed as a
(rating) factor (RF) of a defined
vehicle OR as a gross tonnage
for a defined vehicle axle
configuration
13
Basic Equation for Calculating
the Rating Factor (RF)
A load rating can be expressed in terms of a
“rating factor” for a particular vehicle.

How to calculate the A1 = Factor for dead loads

rating factor (RF)
A2 = Factor for live load
C = Capacity of the bridge
C – A1 * D
RF = D = Dead load effect
A2 * L*(1 + I)
I = Impact factor
L = Live load effect
14
Three Different Load Rating Methods
➢ Allowable Stress (ASD)
•Also known as Working Stress (WSD)
•Used for ODOT steel trusses and timber structures

✓ Load Factor (LFD)

•ODOT Preferred
•FHWA Preferred

➢ Load & Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR)

NCHRP Project 12-46

15
Two Types of Ohio Load Ratings
Inventory Rating (Design Level)
1.) HS20-44

Operating Rating (Service Level)

2.) HS20-44
3.) 2F1
4.) 3F1
5.) 4F1
6.) 5C1

Every bridge in Ohio has six different

load rating factors calculated. 16
 Factors for LFD Load Rating

Ref: AASHTO Manual for Condition Evaluation of Bridges 2000

17
What components of a bridge is
ODOT interested in Load Rating
• All primary superstructure components of a
bridge shall be load rated.
• Unless specified in a scope, this excludes the
following:
Decks (unless bridge is a deck slab type)
Bearings
Substructures
Field splices
Railing / Parapets 18
When Should a Load Rating
be Revised?
The load rating of a bridge should be revised
when:

1. there is a change in the dead load on the structure

2. there is a physical change in any structural

member of the bridge.

3. there is a change in the proposed live loading

4. A different method of analysis is required

19
Why do we rate structures?

20
 Why do we rate structures? (1)
The Silver Bridge Collapse
The Dec. 15, 1967, collapse of
the Silver Bridge at Point
Pleasant, Ohio killed 46
people. The failure of the 39
year old eye bar suspension
bridge across the Ohio River
prompted US Congress to pass
National Bridge Inspection
Standards (NBIS) in 1968.

21
 Why do we rate structures? (2)

❖ Required by Federal government (NBIS)

❖ To monitor safety of structures over time

❖ Tohelp determine when rehabilitation or

replacement is needed

22
 Why do we rate structures? (3)
❖ Todetermine if a bridge needs to be
posted for a load restriction as required
by the Ohio Revised Code

❖ Tohave a consistent summary of load

carrying capacities of all state bridges

❖ Toassist Office of Permits in their

processing of Permit and Superloads

23
What is a Permit or
Superload Vehicle?

24
A Permit* load equals…
any vehicle or combination of
loads having a gross weight in
excess of 40 tons (or 80 kips).
* = Permits are also required for
over-SIZED vehicles. But, for
the purposes of load rating, we
are referring to permits that are
required due to over-weight only. 25
 A Superload equals…
any vehicle or combination of
loads having a gross weight in
excess of 60 tons (or 120 kips).

26
Vehicle Categories based on weight
1.50 * 40

Gross weight of heaviest Ohio Legal Load (5C1)

27
How many vehicle permits are
issued each year?
120,000
110,000
100,000
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
28
 Of those permits issued, how
many are for Superload vehicles?
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
29
 How many Superload routes
does the OSE check each year?
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 30
 Computer programs to assist
in load rating ODOT bridges

➢AASHTO BARS-PC (SHALL be used where possible)

(http://www.dot.state.oh.us/srg/download.htm)

➢BRASS (SHALL be used for buried structures)

(http://www.dot.state.wy.us/generic/brass/index.html)

31
 Additional Computer programs to
assist in load rating ODOT bridges

➢DESCUS I (www.opti-mate.com)

➢STAAD III/Pro (www.reiusa.com)

➢GT STRUDL (Finite Element based)

(www.gtstrudl.gatech.edu)

➢SAP 90 / SAP 2000 (Finite Element based)

(www.csiberkeley.com)
32
Why is BARS desirable to ODOT?
1) Can run Batch routines (useful
for fast analysis of superload routes)

2) Fast, free, and doesn’t require a lot of resources

3) Tested and used over the last 20+ years
4) Provides output in rating format
5) Supports both Mainframe and PC computers
6) Custom vehicles can be easily defined
7) Useful for reviewing new designs
33
 BARS on the Internet
⚫ The program and instruction manuals can be
downloaded for free at…
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/srg/download.htm

⚫ An introductory tutorial can be downloaded

at…
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/srg/bars-pc.htm

34
ODOT Customization of BARS
➢ Custom.std file at…
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/srg/download.htm

➢ Ohio adopted custom allowable stresses

➢ ODOT BDM Tables 904 & 905

➢ Ohio legal vehicles

35
 BDM Section 900

Structure Load Rating

36
 BDM Section 900 (1)

⚫ BURIED STRUCTURES
– ALL bridges (> 10’) with fill > 2’-0” shall be
considered “buried” and shall be load rated
EXCLUDING…
⚫ Circular Steel pipes
⚫ Circular Plastic pipes
⚫ Circular Concrete pipes
⚫ Buried Metal Boxes
⚫ Buried Metal Frames
⚫ Junction Chambers
⚫ Manholes
⚫ Inlets
37
 BDM Section 900 (2)

⚫ BURIED STRUCTURES (cont.)

– All buried structures that are a part of new
construction, replacement, or rehabilitation
projects shall be load rated as follows…
⚫ CIP Concrete bridges shall be load rated by
the designer using BRASS-Culvert.
⚫ Precast concrete frames, arches, Conspans,
and Bebo type structures shall be load rated
by the manufacturer.
⚫ Precast boxes will be load rated by OSE
using BRASS-Culvert.
38
 BDM Section 900 (3)

⚫ NON-BURIED STRUCTURES

– ALL bridges (> 10’) with fill < 2’-0” (or no

fill at all) shall be considered “non-buried”
and shall be load rated
– BARS-PC SHALL BE USED when possible
– BRASS-Culvert SHALL BE USED for
concrete boxes and three-sided culverts
– OSE MUST be contacted if any other
software is going to be used
39
 BDM Section 900 (4)

⚫ MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

– Only load rate spans or portions of buried

structure that will experience live load
– Load ratings of new or rehabilitation bridge
projects shall be based on final design plans and
shall show results that meet or exceed the design
loading
– No FWS shall be included in load ratings

40
 BDM Section 900 (5)

⚫ WHENDO YOU SUBMIT YOUR

ANALYSIS?
❖MAJOR OR MINOR PLAN DEVELOPMENT
(OR DESIGN BUILD) PROCESS
– Include load rating report with STAGE 2 submittal **
❖MINIMAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT
(OR DESIGN BUILD) PROCESS
– Include load rating report with STAGE 3 submittal **
**Revise and resubmit load rating to District Project
Manager if design plans change after Stage 2
(or Stage 3) and prior to contract sale
41
 BDM Section 900 (7)

⚫ WHEN DO YOU SUBMIT YOUR

ANALYSIS?

❖ VALUE ENGINEERING CHANGE PROPOSAL

(VECP)

– Include load rating analysis with the Final VECP

submission to the District Construction Engineer

42
 BDM Section 900 (8)

⚫ WHAT DO YOU PUT IN THE REPORT?

❖A full project description
❖Printouts of analysis software input/output
❖Explanation of how material properties were
determined (for existing structures)
❖All hand calculations
❖A table summarizing the following rating factors for
each live load truck…
❖Inventory & Operating ratings for each main bridge member
analyzed (Beam 1, Beam 2, Interior, Exterior, etc.)
❖Overall ratings of each structure unit (mainline,
ramps, etc.)
❖Overall ratings of entire bridge
43
 BDM Section 900 (9)

⚫ WHAT DO YOU PUT

36*1.38 IN THE
= 49.8 REPORT?
Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating
Loading (Tons) Factor Rating Member Location
Inventory 49.8 tons
HS-20-44 36 1.38 (HS27.7) Girder 2 Midspan
Operating 83 tons
HS-20-44 36 2.31 (HS46.1) Girder 2 Midspan

Ohio Legal 20*1.38=27.7

Loads (%) - 3.08 308% Girder 2 Midspan
2F1 15 4.87 73.1 tons Girder 2 Midspan
3F1 23 3.41 78.4 tons Girder 2 Midspan
4F1 27 3.09 83.5 tons Girder 2 Midspan
5C1 40 3.08 123.3 tons Girder 2 Midspan
44
Smallest * 100= 308
 BDM Section 900 (11)

⚫ WHAT DO YOU SUBMIT TO ODOT?

❖2 - Printed copies of load rating report
(signed and sealed by an Ohio PE)
❖1 - Electronic copy of load rating report
❖1 – Electronic copy of input data files
• BARS -
LISTA.LIS, RATE2.LIS, SUMMARY.LIS,
and FLEX.LIS files
• BRASS -
Files with the following extensions:
DAT, CUS, and XML
45
AASHTO Load Rating References
❖AASHTO (2002), Standard Specifications for
Highway Bridges, 17th ed.,

❖AASHTO (2000), Manual for Condition

Evaluation of Bridges, 2nd Edition. (Section 6)

❖AASHTO (1995), Bridge Analysis and Rating

System, BARS-PC, Release 5.5, Mod 3.3,
Users Manuals I and II,

46
AASHTO Load Rating References
(cont.)
❖AASHTO (1989), Guide Specifications for
Strength Evaluation of Existing Steel and
Concrete Bridges

❖AASHTO (1978), Guide Specifications for

Fracture Critical Non-Redundant Steel Bridge
Members

47
 ODOT Bridge Load Rating
References
❖ODOT (2004), Bridge Design Manual – Section 900
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/se/BDM/BDM2004/bdm2004.htm

❖ODOT Structural Rating Group’s

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/srg/

48
Questions??

49
 Appendix 1 –
Rating Equations

Reference: BARS Manual 1

50
 STEEL RATING FACTORS (1)
RATING FACTOR BASED ON MOMENT CAPACITY (non-composite)

INVENTORY

Flexural _ Strength 3
( − MDL − MSDL) * ( )
RFMOM = 1.3 5
( ML + I )

OPERATING

Flexural _ Strength
( − MDL − MSDL)
RFMOM = 1 .3
( ML + I )
 STEEL RATING FACTORS (2)
RATING FACTORS BASED ON SHEAR CAPACITY (non-composite)

INVENTORY

VP 3
( − VDL − VSDL) * ( )
RFV = 1.3 5
( MAX _ VL + I )

OPERATING

VP
( − VDL − VSDL)
RFV = 1.3
( MAX _ VL + I )

where Vp = shear yielding strength of the web

 STEEL RATING FACTORS (3)

RATING FACTORS BASED ON MOMENT-SHEAR INTERACTION (non-

composite)

INVENTORY

1.375 * Mu * Vu − 1.3 * [ M DLT

* (Vu ) + 0.625 * (V DLT
) * Mu ]
RF =
5
1.3 * [ ML + I * (VL ) + 0.625 * (VL + I ) * Mu ] * ( )
3

OPERATING

1.375 * Mu * Vu − 1.3 * [ M DLT

* (Vu ) + 0.625 * (V DL
T
) * Mu ]
RF =
1.3 * [ ML + I * (VL ) + 0.625 * (VL + I ) * Mu ]
 STEEL RATING FACTORS (4)
RATING FACTORS BASED ON SERVICEABILITY STRENGTH (non-composite)

INVENTORY

(0.80 * Fy * S − MDL − MSDL)

RFS =
5
( ML + I ) * ( )
3

OPERATING
(0.80 * Fy * S − MDL − MSDL)
RFS =
( ML + I )
 Composite Steel & Conc. Rating Factors (1)
RATING FACTOR FOR SECTION BASED ON MOMENT CAPACITY
(composite)

INVENTORY

n=n MDL MSDL 3

S COMP [0.95 * Fy − − n =3 n
]* ( )
SNON _ COMPDL S COMP 5
RFMOM = SDL

( ML + I )

Ultimate _ Strength( Mu ) 3
( − MDL − MSDL) * ( )
RFMOM = 1. 3 5
( ML + I )

whichever is smaller
 Composite Steel & Conc. Rating Factors (2)
OPERATING (composite, based on Moment Capacity)

Ultimate _ Strength( Mu )
( − MDL − MSDL)
RFMOM = 1.3
( ML + I )

n=n MDL MSDL

S COMP [0.95 * Fy − − n =3 n
]
SNON _ COMPDL S
RFMOM =
COMPSDL

( ML + I )
* whichever is smaller
Composite Steel & Conc. Rating Factors (3)
RATING FACTORS BASED ON SHEAR CAPACITY

INVENTORY

Vp 3
( − VDL − VSDL) * ( )
RFV = 1.3 5
( MAX _ VL + I )
Composite Steel & Conc. Rating Factors (4)
RATING FACTORS BASED ON SHEAR CAPACITY

OPERATING

where Vp = shear yielding strength of the web

VP
( − VDL − VSDL)
RFV = 1. 3
( MAX _ VL + I )
 Composite Steel & Conc. Rating Factors (5)
RATING FACTORS ON MOMENT-SHEAR INTERACTION (composite)

INVENTORY

1.375 * Mu * Vu − 1.3 * [ M DLT

* (Vu ) + 0.625 * (V DLT
) * Mu ]
RF =
5
1.3 * [ ML + I * (VL ) + 0.625 * (VL + I ) * Mu ] * ( )
3

OPERATING

1.375 * Mu * Vu − 1.3 * [ M DLT

* (Vu ) + 0.625 * (V DL
T
) * Mu ]
RF =
1.3 * [ ML + I * (VL ) + 0.625 * (VL + I ) * Mu ]
 Composite Steel & Conc. Rating Factors (6)
RATING FACTORS ON SERVICEABILITY STRENGTH (composite)

INVENTORY

n=n MDL MSDL

S COMP [0.95 * Fy − − n =3 n
]
SNON _ COMPDL S COMP
RFS = SDL

5
( ML + I ) * ( )
3

OPERATING
n=n MDL MSDL
S COMP [0.95 * Fy − − n =3 n
]
SNON _ COMPDL S
RFS =
COMPSDL

( ML + I )
 Reinforced Concrete Rating Factors (1)
RATING FACTOR BASED ON MOMENT CAPACITY

INVENTORY

Flexural _ Strength 3
( − MDL − MSDL) * ( )
RFMOM = 1.3 5
( ML + I )

OPERATING

Flexural _ Strength
( − MDL − MSDL)
RFMOM = 1 .3
( ML + I )

Flexural_Strength = phi * Mu
 Reinforced Concrete Rating Factors (2)
RATING FACTORS BASED ON SHEAR CAPACITY

INVENTORY
Vu 3
( − VDL) * ( )
RFV = 1.3 5
( MAX _ VL + I )

OPERATING
Vu
( − VDL)
RFV = 1 .3
( MAX _ VL + I )

where VDL = VDL + VSDL

Vu = 0.85 * (Vc + Vs)

 Prestressed Concrete Rating Factors (1)
RATING FACTOR BASED ON MOMENT CAPACITY

INVENTORY

Flexural _ Strength 3
( − MDL − MSDL) * ( )
RFMOM = 1. 3 5
( ML + I )

OPERATING

Flexural _ Strength
( − MDL − MSDL)
RFMOM = 1 .3
( ML + I )

Flexural_Strength = Ultimate_Strength
 Prestressed Concrete Rating Factors (2)

RATING FACTORS BASED ON SHEAR CAPACITY

INVENTORY

Vu 3
( − VDL) * ( )
RFV = 1.3 5
( MAX _ VL + I )

OPERATING

Vu
− VDL)
(
RFV = 1.3
( MAX _ VL + I )
 Appendix 2 –
Load Rating Example

65
Single-span slab bridge
Bridge #: SEN-23-0934
Over: Branch of Wolf Creek
SFN: 7401590
Clear Span: 16’-0”
Slab thickness: 11.5”
Slab Width: 40.5 ft
Overlay: 3” asphalt on ¾” soil
Long. Bottom Steel: 7’s @ 4 ½”
Transverse Bottom Steel: 5’s
Analysis Software: BARS-PC
Input filename: R740159.DAT 66
 Live load distribution factor
AASHTO Standard Specification for Highway Bridges 2002
3.24.3.2 CASE B – Main Reinforcement Parallel to Traffic

S = Effective Span For wheel loads, the

length in feet distribution width
(AASHTO 3.24.1) E = 4 + 0.06*S  7’
S = 16+1 = 17 feet E = 4 + 0.06*17 = 5.02 feet
BARS Dist. = 1/5.02= 0.199

68
 Impact load (Impact factor)
AASHTO Standard Specification for Highway Bridges 2002
3.8.2 Impact Formula

The amount of impact allowance, L = Effective Span

I, as a fraction of the live load length in feet
I = 50 / (L + 125)  0.3
I = 50 / (17 + 125) = 0.352 Use I = 0.3

69
 Superimposed Dead Load
((3” / 12)* 1 ft* 145 pcf) + ((3/4” /12) * 1 ft * 120 pcf) +
12 plf guardrail = 55.8 lb/ft

Rebar distance to top of slab

(11.5”–1” clear due to delamination- 5/8”–(7/8”) / 2 ) =
9.4375”

70
 Interactive Bridge Data Entry
AA NEW X
99740159
01 082103DMH - B&N *LF* POST
03 1SPEC0512.0 12 17.0 4 17.0 31 17.0 4
03 2SPEC 17.0
02740159DMH - B&N 111 26 00161108 0040060001
05740159 7401590BSEN 23 0934 LF
067401591SEN-23-0934 OVER BRANCH OF WOLF CREEK, SFN: 7401590
067401592SINGLE SPAN CONCRETE SLAB BUILT IN 1926, 16 FOOT CLEAR SPAN
0674015933" ASPHALT W.S. (DATE: N/A) ON 0.75" OF SOIL, 40.5' SLAB WIDTH
08740159S01 01 00161108 RC32000 0.199
10740159S01 01 W55.80 00161108
11740159S01 0101 0016110801
13740159S01 01 11.50 12.00 01 1.5999.4375

71
 Load Rating Summary
Gross
Vehicle
Member Location
Weight Rating
Loading (Tons) Factor Rating
Inventory 20.90 tons Conc.
HS-20-44 36 0.58 (HS11.61) Deck Midspan
Operating 34.85 tons Conc.
HS-20-44 36 0.97 (HS19.36) Deck Midspan
Ohio Legal Conc.
Loads (%) - 1.07 107% Deck Midspan
Conc.
2F1 15 1.55 23.2 tons Deck Midspan
Conc.
3F1 23 1.19 27.4 tons Deck Midspan
Conc.
4F1 27 1.07 29.0 tons Deck Midspan
Conc.
5C1 40 1.19 47.7 tons Deck Midspan
72
 APPENDIX 3 –
Where to get more help ?
➢ BARS Manuals
➢ Limited support from Structure Rating Section
❑Amjad Waheed, PE 614-752-9972
(amjad.waheed@dot.state.oh.us)
❑Shelton A. Howard, PE 614-752-9975
(shelton.howard@dot.state.oh.us)
❑Richard C. Irwin, PE 614-752-9977
(richard.irwin@dot.state.oh.us)
❑Cindy Wang, PE 614-466-1973
(cindy.wang@dot.state.oh.us)

73