Development of an optimized short-span steel bridge package

A recent study from the West Virginia Department of Transportation indicates that a number of existing bridges in West Virginia are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. As there are not sufficient funds to replace or rehabilitate all of the insufficient structures a means of economically replacing the inadequate structures in a time efficient manner is necessary. One method of conserving time and resources is by employing standardized bridge plans. Therefore, the focus of this effort is on the development of a optimized short-span steel bridge package.; This study focused on developing optimized plans for two roadway cross-sections for spans between 40 feet and 120 feet in 5 ft. intervals. The girders designed in this effort were optimized based on weight and included members detailed at various cross section depth to span length ratios and incorporated both homogeneous and hybrid configurations as well as rolled sections.; Additional optimization studies were performed to assess the feasibility of incorporating limited ranges of plate sizes which is a practice felt by steel bridge fabricators to offer significant economy. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...