Impact of AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications on analysis and design of reinforced concrete bridge decks

The Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has been utilized in Venezuela throughout the years for the design of most bridges, due to the lack of a Venezuelan code. However, this set of norms was replaced in the United States in 2007 with the new mandatory LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. Most bridges built in Venezuela were designed with the now prescribed norm. The changes incorporated in the new design specifications are substantial, from the point of view of loads and as applicable, loads and resistance factors. This research paper presents a comparative study of bridge decks designed with both codes to determine the impact of the new code on the design of reinforced concrete bridge decks. The study was based on a comparison of bridge decks of the following lengths: 10 m, 18 mand 30 m. The bridge decks analyzed have a width 10.40 m formed with four beams.