Rolled Steel Beam Rating

Started a new rating today for a rolled steel beam bridge in Providence RI. The bridge consists of twenty two rolled steel beams with cover plates and has two simple spans with a 7" composite concrete deck. Even though the bridge has a gap between I-95 Southbound and Northbound the structure is still considered one bridge.

The rating of the steel beams will be performed using the software BRASS for the LRFR method outlined in the 2008 AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation. The bridge deck will not be rated in accordance with Section 6A.1.8.1 of the 2008 AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation.

The dead load of the wearing surface, bridge railing and safety walk will be distributed equally to the beams. The dead load of the diaphragms will be based on their reactions to the respective beam and uniformly distributed along the entire length.