TABLE OF CONTENTS Walter J. Jestings, P.E.
Formerly, Bridge Engineer
Parsons Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
Mahir Sen, P.E.
Professional Associate
Parsons Brinckerhoff-FG, Inc.
Princeton, New Jersey
This chapter is directed at practical issues of importance in the design and rehabilitation of traditional bridge types for short and medium spans. Subjects addressed include characteristics of various bridge types, considerations in their selection, and suggestions for economical design; materials for bridges and bridge decks; bridge deck design, construction, and maintenance; deflection and expansion joints; and bridge bearings. The issues are addressed from a general viewpoint, with the emphasis on what is generally done and why. Detailed design methods are available in other publications. (See R. L. Brockenbrough and F. S. Merritt, Structural Steel Designer s Handbook, McGraw-Hill, and E. H. Gaylord and C. N. Gaylord, Structural Engineering Handbook, McGraw-Hill.)
State departments of transportation, bridge and turnpike authorities, and other agencies often require the services of a consulting engineering firm. This may be because the agency chooses not to maintain an engineering staff of its own, because its workload is greater than its staff can handle, or because expertise in special kinds of bridges is needed. Consultants can fill these needs.
Where only routine types of bridges are involved and the agency has an engineering staff, the best that a consultant can be expected to do, usually, is only as good a job as the agency s engineers can do. The agency s staff may include veteran engineers who have...
