New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Chapter IV - Highways › Subchapter C - Highway Use And Maintenance › Part 165 - Uniform Code Of Bridge Inspection › Section 165.8 - Load capacity evaluation

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
Each bridge which is subject to the inspection provisions
					 of this code, shall be rated for safe load carrying capacity. Load ratings
					 shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the AASHTO Manual. If
					 it is determined by this load rating process that the maximum legal total load
					 under State law exceeds the load equivalent to the operating rating capacity
					 level as defined by the AASHTO Manual, the bridge must be load posted subject
					 to sections 233 and
					 234  of the Highway Law, and sections 1621, 1640, 1650 and
					 1660  of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
(a) Level 1 and level 2 load ratings. Level 1
				  and level 2 load ratings are defined to differentiate between rating analyses
				  of differing degree of sophistication and/or comprehensiveness, and to
				  differentiate whether or not the rating is certified by a licensed professional
				  engineer.
(1) Level 1 load rating: A level 1
				  rating refers to any fully documented analysis or capacity evaluation that is
				  signed and certified by a licensed professional engineer as being complete and
				  correct in its computation of bridge load capacity. Generally, a level 1
				  analysis shall be in conformance with the analysis assumptions and provisions
				  of the AASHTO Manual. However, evaluation methods and/or analysis assumptions
				  that differ from the AASHTO provisions are permitted provided that they conform
				  to accepted structural engineering practice, and they are fully documented and
				  certified as being correct and appropriate by the certifying licensed
				  professional engineer.
(2) Level 2
				  load rating: A level 2 load rating refers to a specific type of computerized
				  load rating analysis produced by the department as part of its general bridge
				  inspection program. However, any uncertified rating analysis that substantially
				  conforms to the provisions and assumptions of the AASHTO Manual may be referred
				  to as a level 2 load rating. Level 2 load ratings may be used to identify
				  bridges that are likely to be load capacity deficient and must receive further
				  evaluation. Level 2 ratings may be used to assign interim load restrictions to
				  a deficient bridge until a level 1 load rating can be undertaken. The
				  department's level 2 load ratings are computed using a department owned and
				  maintained system of computer programs whose logic substantially conforms to
				  analysis methods and assumptions contained in the AASHTO Manual. For each type
				  of bridge capable of being analyzed, the level 2 programs contain some general
				  assumptions relating to the location of critical components or cross sections
				  to be analyzed. Although they are normally appropriate and generally accurate
				  for typical situations they may not be correct in every case. Although quality
				  control reviews are made, the department does not certify its level 2 ratings
				  as being complete and fully correct in its computation of load capacity. The
				  department maintains computer records of its level 2 data and analysis results,
				  and updates this information on a periodic basis as part of its general
				  inspection process.