MASTER OF ENGINEERING PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

Course Title: CE 320 - 10, Design of Transportation Structures for Extreme Events, LRFD
Time: Wednesdays 5:00-8:00 pm
Professor(s): Michael P. Culmo, P.E., Vice President of Transportation and Structures, CME Associates, Inc.
Course Description: The FHWA has mandated that as of this year, all new bridges be designed using the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. This specification requires that transportation structures be designed for extreme events. These events are loadings that rarely occur, however may subject the structure to its highest loading during its life. The design of structures for these conditions requires a different approach than with traditional LRFD loadings. The course will focus on extreme events such as seismic, hurricanes, flooding, truck collisions and ship collisions. Course work will include studies of code provisions for these loadings and case studies of various transportation structures such as bridges and sign supports. Specialized features to be studied include behavior of bridges during seismic events, design of parapets for truck impacts including crash testing criteria, ship collision criteria, and wind loading provisions for bridges and sign supports. In 2007, the AASHTO Bridge Subcommittee voted in a complete revision to the LRFD seismic design specifications. This new revision (to be published in 2008) will be covered.
Text: AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Customary U.S. Units, Third or Fourth Edition**