Comments on: AASHTO https://structuralengineerhq.com/se-exam/aashto/ Welcome to SEHQ: A Blog Dedicated to Helping You Pass the SE Exam and Succeed in Your Structural Engineering Career Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:24:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.9 By: Andy https://structuralengineerhq.com/se-exam/aashto/#comment-1072 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:24:00 +0000 http://structuralengineerhq.com/?page_id=38#comment-1072 In reply to Hena.

I am not familiar with that clause but in most cases like this (e.g. limited research), you’ll have to design based on detailed analysis and sound engineering judgement.

]]> By: Hena https://structuralengineerhq.com/se-exam/aashto/#comment-1071 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:51:00 +0000 http://structuralengineerhq.com/?page_id=38#comment-1071 I am having this sort of problem,well, there is a clause in AASHTO regarding equivalent strip width of box culvert for which the reasearch had carried upto was 7200mm, what will happen if the span increase?

]]> By: Andy https://structuralengineerhq.com/se-exam/aashto/#comment-821 Thu, 16 Oct 2014 01:50:00 +0000 http://structuralengineerhq.com/?page_id=38#comment-821 In reply to Tim C.

Tim, check this out for max moment due to “lane load + truck/tandem” on single span bridge (thanks to one of my good friends who is a bridge engineer): http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/techpubs/manual/bridgemanuals/bridge-design-aids/page/bda_9_1.pdf

For example, in SERM (6th edition) Chapter 8 Practice Problem 2 Solution (Page 8-56):
M(L+T) = 728 ft-kip

Looking at the Caltrans pdf page 3 (One Lane With Dynamic Load Allowance): Moment for 40′ = 726.5 ft-kip

]]> By: Tim C https://structuralengineerhq.com/se-exam/aashto/#comment-820 Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:29:00 +0000 http://structuralengineerhq.com/?page_id=38#comment-820 In reply to Andy.

Based on further studying, I have found that there will likely be a lot of aashto on the exam. Fortunately, a lot of the problems can be worked through by starting with the index. Unfortunately, there will not be enough time to go searching if you’re not familiar with a question.

One big time sink seems to be finding the maximum bending due to a lane + design truck or tandem. The space between the axles will make the max moment vary considerably. What is a quick way to determine the max moment on a single span bridge? I know that a span less than 40 feet will be governed by the tandem truck.

]]> By: Andy https://structuralengineerhq.com/se-exam/aashto/#comment-819 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:20:00 +0000 http://structuralengineerhq.com/?page_id=38#comment-819 In reply to Tim C.

Tim,

I am also a building engineer with near-zero knowledge of bridge design prior to the exam. Based on my experience, there will be around 7-10 AASHTO questions.

You will need to know at least how to determine the loads and how to use the load combinations.

I’ve also studied the bridge portion in the Structural Engineer Reference Manual.

I also highly recommend that you tab the index so you can find things rather quickly.

As far as member design based on materials, the format is actually rather similar to the old UBC (i.e., everything is in that chapter and you don’t need to open up referenced books like in the current IBC). So as long you can find things quickly using the index, you should be fine.

You can read more tips by other people here:

http://engineerboards.com/index.php?showtopic=23971
http://engineerboards.com/index.php?showtopic=24033

]]> By: Tim C https://structuralengineerhq.com/se-exam/aashto/#comment-818 Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:16:00 +0000 http://structuralengineerhq.com/?page_id=38#comment-818 I am a building engineer and I am studying AASHTO now. Obviously, the manual is huge, and if you are not a bridge engineer, it is unlikely that you will have experience with every chapter. It seems like you could spend years working with it before learning to be quick with it. What I really need to know is HOW MUCH AASHTO and WHICH TOPICS are most important to study if I am planning on selecting the BUILDINGS afternoon sessions?

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