Design of Highway Bridges : Based on AASHTO LRFD, Bridge Design Specifications

Rating:
Summary: Almost a Necessity
Review: As a Bridge Engineer trying to figure out the new LRFD Code, I found this book to be a necessity. It is comprehensive in applying the code to actual designs. The design examples are thorough, and the logic can be followed. In all, I would recommend this book to anyone trying to learn all the provisions of the new LRFD Code.

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Summary: Buy This Book For LRFD Bridge Design
Review: I am a bridge designer with three years of design experience. I purchased this textbook for Dr. Barker's (author's) bridge design graduate course in college. This textbook, unlike so many others on the subject of bridge design, delves into the real nuts-and-bolts calculations of structural engineering. The most in-depth sections are loads, analysis, steel bridges, and concrete bridges. The two examples in the steel and concrete sections are thorough treatments. No subject is simply glossed over in this book. This entire text seems to have been written with the goal of answering common questions from both designers and students. From why various code requirements came to be, to exactly the meaning of obscure variables, most everything in the 1st to 2nd Ed. of the LRFD code was addressed. My only complaint about the text is that there are several mistakes in the calculations (particularly in the lengthly examples). However, most of these appear to have been corrected in subsequent printings.

This book is a great desk reference for bridge designers. I cannot specifically recommend it as a study guide for the PE/SE, since those exams do not use the AASHTO LRFD specifications yet. However, for designing by the AASHTO LRFD, this book can be considered the commentary that space did not allow.

As a side note, the hardback book is a nicely bound edition. The sketches, tables, and diagrams are all clear, as well as the notations used (superscripts, subscripts, Greek, etc.).

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Summary: Author contact
Review: Our book is a very comprehensive treatment of the design of bridge superstructures with the AASHTO LRFD Specification. We hope that you find the book interesting and of practical value. We have many example designs.

Dr. Barker and I appreciate hearing from our readers and reviewing their suggestions. We update with each printing. My address is [e-mail].

Thanks.

Rating:
Summary: An excellant text on bridge engineering using LRFD.
Review: Our office found this to be the best, and most comprehensive reference on the new LRFD Specification available. The design examples set this book apart from other references. They are as complete as any we have found. While our interest sprang from our need to learn the LRFD specification, we found that the book is a valuable tool for bridge engineering in general. Most of the designers in our office at KDOT and many of the consulting firms who work with us have a copy of this book.

Rating:
Summary: Almost a Necessity
Review: This book offers the bridge engineer a complete guide to the new LRFD specs in metric units. It is a great tool for both the new engineer, or the skeptical veteran, leery of LRFD. It offers a brief US bridge history in its introduction, and discusses aesthetics in the beginning: where it belongs. Next the development of LRFD and its advantages over ASD is discussed and should be read (and reread) carefully by the skeptics (excellent chapter). Influence lines follow, then system design, and finally concrete and steel bridge design and examples. This book is well suited to supplement the ASSHTO code or stand alone. Also, it is truly metric, no soft conversion at all. The book is quite long, however; it does command your undivided attention if it to be learned from. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Guide to new LRFD bridge design for beginner and sceptics.
Review: This book offers the bridge engineer a complete guide to the new LRFD specs in metric units. It is a great tool for both the new engineer, or the skeptical veteran, leery of LRFD. It offers a brief US bridge history in its introduction, and discusses aesthetics in the beginning: where it belongs. Next the development of LRFD and its advantages over ASD is discussed and should be read (and reread) carefully by the skeptics (excellent chapter). Influence lines follow, then system design, and finally concrete and steel bridge design and examples. This book is well suited to supplement the ASSHTO code or stand alone. Also, it is truly metric, no soft conversion at all. The book is quite long, however; it does command your undivided attention if it to be learned from. I highly recommend this book.