FHWA Update for the Virtis Opis User Group Meeting

1
FHWA Update for the Virtis Opis User Group
Meeting

• Thomas Saad, P. E.
• FHWA Resource Center
• Phone [phone]
• E-mail thomas.saad_at_dot.gov

2
FHWA Key Bridge Program Initiatives

• NBIS Oversight and Compliance Roll out of new
  procedures for uniformity/conformance
• ARRA
• Every Day Counts (EDC) - ABC and PFBE
• Gusset Plate Evaluations
• Scour POAs

3
Changes in FHWA NBIS Program Oversight

• OIG and GAO reviews of FHWA Oversight (2007-2008)
  for inconsistency and weaknesses in NBIS
  Oversight
• Seven new full-time positions in FHWA Office of
  Bridge Technology
• Four (4) Bridge Safety Engineers
• Load Rating Engineer
• Scour Engineer
• Bridge Preservation Engineer
• New procedures in place for FHWA Division Offices
  to review NBIS compliance and achieve uniformity
  

4
Pilot Truck Weight StudyMaine and Vermont

• Allow States to increase GVW on Interstate to
  100,000 lbs
• One year pilot program in each State
• FHWA Office of Freight Management to evaluate and
  report impacts to Congress
• Evaluation to cover economic benefits and impacts
  on safety, pavements and bridges in Vermont
• Study vehicles 6 axles (42 foot and 51 foot
  wheelbase in Maine and Vermont, respectively)

5
FHWA/NHI Bridge Design and Analysis Training
Courses

• NHI Course 130081
• Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for
  Highway Bridge Superstructures
• 2 to 5-day training courses on steel and concrete
  superstructure design
• NHI Course 130082
• Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for
  Highway Bridge Substructures and Earth Retaining
  Structures
• 1 to 5-day training course on LRFD foundation,
  pier and wall design
• NHI Course 130092
• Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) for
  Highway Bridges
• 2 to 5-day training courses on rating and
  analyzing concrete and steel bridge
  superstructure and substructure elements

6
FHWA/NHI Bridge Design and Analysis Training
Courses

• NHI Course 130093
• LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Highway
  Bridges
• 5-day training course on LRFD Seismic Design of
  Bridges
• NHI Course 130094
• LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Tunnels,
  Walls and other Geotechnical Features
• 5-day training course on LRFD Seismic Analysis of
  retaining walls, earthworks and buried structures
• NHI Course 130095
• LRFD Design and Analysis of Skewed and
  Horizontally Curved Steel Bridges
• 4-day training course with Reference Manual

7
Specific thoughts for Bridge Owners and Managers

• No better time to make improvements in bridge
  management and operations and to acquire
  resources to get the job done
• V-O users should be harnessing the power of
  technology
• Spend and time efficiently make program
  changes for the future as you update design and
  load rating procedures

8
Virtis-Opis Training and Marketing

• Formal training available through Service Units
• Other Training and/or Marketing needs???
• Need to consider VOTF budget
• Need for product training? Showcases?
• Who needs training? Level of expertise?