Print this page Bridge and Culvert Basics
George E. Thomas, PE
Course Outline
This course will provide you with the basic terminology and elementary theory of bridge mechanics and materials and will present the terminology needed to properly identify and describe the individual elements that comprise a bridge. The major components of a bridge and the basic member shapes and connections of a bridge are discussed, ending with the purpose and function of culverts.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Have an understanding of bridge components;
- Have an understanding of bridge connections;
- Have an understanding of piers and bents;
- Have knowledge of rivets, welds and bolts used in bridge construction;
- Have knowledge of superstructures and sub structures;
- Have an understanding of basic bridge design loads;
- Have an understanding of LRFD;
- Have an understanding of secondary loads;
- Have an understanding of redundancy;
- Have an understanding how bridges are classified based on the deck and superstructure;
- Have an understanding of composite and non-composite structures;
- Have an understanding of bridge foundations;
- Have an understanding of culvert design;
- Have an understanding of culvert shapes and uses;
- How an overview of culvert protective systems;
- Know how to calculate bridge rating factor;
- Know how to classify bridge spans;
- Know what are primary elements;
- Know what are secondary elements;
- Know what bridge bearings are used for;
- Know how loads are applied;
- Know how AASHTO truck loading is used;
- Be familiar with the various types of bridge bearings; and
- Be able to indentify bridge types.
Intended Audience
Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, and Architects
Benefit to Attendees
The course will provide an understanding of bridges and culverts used in road construction and will discuss the various types of structures and there use.
Course
Introduction
This course is intended to improve your knowledge related to bridges and culverts.
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following course content in PDF format:
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
This course covers basic bridges and culverts, including all structures erected over a depression or an obstruction, such as water, highway, or railway, and having a track or passageway for carrying traffic or other moving loads, and having an opening measured along the center of the roadway of more than 20 feet; it also includes multiple pipe culverts, where the clear distance between openings is less than half of the smaller contiguous opening.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
