Implementing a Database Classification of Mn/DOT Steel Bridges with Fracture/Fatigue Critical Details

Project summary:

Decisions regarding future spending and rehabilitation priorities for steel bridges in Minnesota require a classification scheme that establishes the fatigue and fracture susceptibility of steel bridges in the Mn/DOT inventory. In 2007, such a classification system was developed in a prior Mn/DOT research project. Implementation of the Lindberg-Schultz classification scheme requires a substantial effort given: 1) the large number of steel bridges in the trunk highways system in Minnesota, and 2) the time required to collect information for each bridge plan and store and analyze the information in the appropriate database management tool. This project implemented the steel bridge fracture/fatigue classification scheme previously developed by Lindberg and Schultz, and included the processing of plans for the approximately 1000 steel bridges in the Minnesota trunk highway system. The evaluation of bridge classification was accomplished using the computer application developed by Lindberg and Schultz, and the resulting rank numbers were stored in Mn/DOT's bridge management database for future use.