Ontario Writes New Bridge Code

by Michael J. Bartos, Jr., (A.M.ASCE), Asst. Editor; CIVIL ENGINEERING�ASCE, New York, N.Y.,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1979, Vol. 49, Issue 3, Pg. 56-61


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

In 1976, Ontario's Ministry of Transportation and Communications decided to write its own bridge design code, breaking away from the AASHTO code, because: (1)It wanted a metric design code in 1978, target date for conversion of Canada's construction industry to the metric system; (2)it considered the AASHTO code too conservative; and (3)it wanted to synthesize its separate research reports into an acceptable design code. In 1973 the Ministry had built a full-scale test bridge designed using its research. Load testing supported the design concepts but the Ministry wanted to test existing bridges, too. Using its research, the Ministry tested a bridge whose replacement had been recommended. As a result, the Ministry was able to repair and strengthen, rather than replace, the bridge. Article describes Ontario's research and bridge testing and summarizes the new bridge code.

Subject Headings: Bridge tests | Standards and codes | Bridge design | Metric systems | Load tests | Infrastructure construction | Structural strength | Ontario | Canada

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search