Bridge Load Rating and Rehabilitation
Credits: 4 PDH
PDH Course Description:
Bridges rarely fail on paper—they fail in the field. Across the United States, thousands of bridges are reaching or exceeding their original design life, demanding a new level of technical judgment from practicing engineers. Routine analysis is no longer enough; effective bridge management now requires professionals who can interpret field data, quantify deterioration, and apply modern design codes with precision.
This course is designed specifically for civil and structural engineers practicing in the U.S. who are responsible for evaluating, rating, and rehabilitating existing bridges. It bridges the gap between theory and field performance by integrating AASHTO LRFD principles, load rating methodology, and practical rehabilitation strategies into one coherent and actionable learning experience.
Through step-by-step worked examples and real inspection case studies, participants learn how to translate field observations into sound engineering actions—covering corrosion, section loss, posting, strengthening, and retrofit methods using advanced materials such as CFRP and steel plating.
What makes this course distinct is its field-oriented focus: every module connects analytical procedures with real-world bridge behavior, ensuring that engineers not only understand the specifications but can also apply them effectively in practice.
Professional Insight: Competent bridge evaluation is not about memorizing equations—it’s about engineering judgment informed by data, codes, and experience. This course builds that link.
By the end of this course, you will be able to evaluate, rate, and rehabilitate bridges using the same tools and methodologies applied by state DOTs and consulting firms nationwide—gaining both professional confidence and practical expertise to make defensible, code-compliant engineering decisions.Topics:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of bridge load-rating concepts and their role in infrastructure safety, asset management, and DOT regulatory compliance
- Apply AASHTO LRFD and Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE) methodology to practical bridge assessments, including evaluation of load paths, resistance factors, and rating load combinations for HL-93, HS-20, and permit vehicles
- Inspect and evaluate bridge elements through case studies—identifying and quantifying deterioration such as section loss, cracking, corrosion, deck delamination, and frozen or seized bearings—and convert these observations into model inputs
- Analyze and interpret field and NDT data (e.g., GPR, half-cell potential, ultrasonic thickness) to quantify deficiencies and determine their effect on element and system capacity
- Interpret and critically evaluate outputs from common bridge analysis and rating software (AASHTOWare BrR, CSiBridge, Midas Civil), using those outputs to compare “original / deteriorated / post-rehab” rating outcomes and to support engineering decisions. (Note: this course focuses on interpretation and workflow — not on software user-interface training.)
- Interpret rating outcomes within realistic contexts (e.g., RF shifting from >1.2 to <1.0) and determine, step-by-step, whether posting, repair, strengthening, or replacement is the appropriate action
- Develop technically sound rehabilitation strategies (steel flange plating, CFRP strengthening, bearing replacement, deck overlays, column jacketing, etc.) and assess their quantified impact on rating factors and service life
- Integrate inspection findings, analytical results, and rehabilitation strategies into defensible decision-making processes that balance safety, constructability, cost, and long-term performance
- Plan and propose continuous monitoring and life-cycle management approaches, including post-rehab inspection regimes and sensor-based monitoring, to support long-term bridge performance
- Prepare and present professional evaluation reports, rating tables, and concise decision summaries suitable for DOT review and agency record-keeping
- Exercise engineering judgment through case-based scenarios—prioritizing interventions, documenting assumptions, and justifying recommendations in accordance with AASHTO/FHWA guidance
- Solve detailed numerical examples—performing manual checks and following software workflows conceptually—to gain practical confidence in applying rating and rehabilitation methods in DOT projects
To take this course:
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3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.
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Intended Audience: This course is intended for civil and structural engineers, as well as bridge consultants, DOT professionals, and technical reviewers.
Publication Source: Dr. Ibrahim Metwally, PE