Research In Progress: Standardizing Software for a Statewide Bridge Rating System in Iowa, TR-832, 2024

(2024) Research In Progress: Standardizing Software for a Statewide Bridge Rating System in Iowa, TR-832, 2024. Transportation, Department of

Preview

PDF TR-832_Research_In_Progress_Standardizing_Software_for_a_Statewide_Bridge_rating_System_in_Iowa.pdf File Size:401kB

Abstract

Since the deployment of the National Bridge Inspection Oversight program, many States have performed a large majority of their load ratings in specific software for the benefits of ensuring quality and efficiency in re-utilizing the rating data and bridge models to manage the bridges over their life cycle. There is more emphasis from FHWA this year in the assessment of Load rating QC/QA program and procedures. A QC/QA program could be implemented more efficiently when standardized software and databases are used for performing the approximate 20,000 LPA bridge analyses. Tools that Iowa DOT currently licenses, LARS and AASHTOWare Bridge Rating, could be used to model and store most local agency inventory load ratings. The local agencies and consultants could manage most of the load ratings within this software; the software can evaluate most of the common and standard plan bridges that have been used by local agency bridge owners in Iowa. There may be other software, such as BRASS, that could be used as a standardized tool. AASHTOWare offers a ‘Supersite’ license that would allow access to the software with no direct costs to the county engineers and consultants, as well as other licensing options for agency sponsored consultants. Once implemented the entire network of bridges can be analyzed at the push of a button when considering future legislation changes. To implement a statewide rating system, a research project is desired to develop standard files to be used by all users of the AASHTOWare rating software. These standard files will represent the standard bridges in Iowa. All agencies in Iowa, IADOT, County, and Cities will be included in the implementation of the AASHTOWare software.