Chapter 2: Limit States and Loads

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Section 1: Limit States

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Limit States

Classify all bridge designs as typical bridges when applying the operational importance factor, , to strength limit states. Use = 1.0 for all limit states. See AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Article 1.3.5.

Provisions under Extreme Event I need not be considered except for regions near Big Bend.

Provisions under Extreme Event II must be considered only when vehicular collision or vessel collision evaluation is required.

For typical multi-column bridges, determine design loads for foundations at Service Limit State I. Foundation loads for single column bents and other non-typical substructures should be determined by Service Limit State I and Service Limit State IV. For Service Limit State IV, include the vertical wind pressure as specified in Article 3.8.2.

Follow the procedures described in the TxDOT Geotechnical Manual, which is available on the internet at ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/gsd/manuals/geo.pdf, to determine the size and length of foundations.

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