ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Research Bureau retained Cambridge Systematics (CS) and Greenman-Pedersen Inc. (GPI) to develop design and construction engineering guidelines and checklists to instruct designers on how to properly address out-of-plumb issues for skewed and curved steel I-Girder bridges during the design phase of the project. The guidelines were developed based on current AASHTO design specifications, available research papers and reports, and GPI’s past project experience. This paper focuses on the design portion of the research project which covers the following aspects: theory and analysis, out-of-plumb tolerances, techniques to minimize girder differential deflection and associated out-of-plumb issues, crossframes detailing methods, design considerations for cross-frames, understanding thermal behavior and determining bearing fixity layout and guided bearing orientation, design consideration for deck joints, and connection detailing. Additionally, construction engineering guidelines and notes to be included in the contract plans are discussed.
