Bridge design and assessment criteria

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The following criteria cover the design requirements and load capacity assessment requirements for new and existing bridges.

Volume 1: Design criteria for bridges and other structures

This criteria covers design requirements for bridges, tunnels, large signs and other road-related structures to ensure they are functional, robust, durable and safe. It defines procedures and provides the technical criteria required to design new structures and to widen and strengthen existing bridges for service life and durability.

Design criteria for bridges and other structures (PDF, 3.79 MB)

Superseded versions

Due to ongoing works under contract the following superseded versions are available for reference. Note these are provided as a reference only and are not suitable for new contracts.

• March 2020 (PDF, 4.26 MB)
• February 2018 (PDF, 3.41 MB)
• March 2017 (PDF, 3.38 MB)
• August 2014 (PDF, 2.84 MB)

For older superseded versions please email Technical Documents to request a copy.

Volume 2: Tier 1 Bridge heavy load assessment criteria

This criteria covers the requirements for analysing bridges and assessing their capacities to carry specific load cases (i.e. heavy vehicles). It is based on the Australian Standard AS 5100.

Tier 1: Bridge heavy load assessment criteria (PDF, 2.16 MB) 

Volume 3: Level 3 Inspection Criteria for Potentially Structurally Deficient Bridges

This criteria covers a “Level 3 Inspection” when the Tier 1 Assessment identifies a Potentially Structurally Deficient Bridge (PSDB) for freight vehicles (as-of-right MCVs). The focus of this Level 3 Inspection is to determine if the defect is the same as the potential structural deficiency identified in the calculations.

Level 3 Inspection Criteria for Potentially Structurally Deficient Bridges  (PDF, 401 KB)  

Volume 4: Tier 2 assessment criteria

This criteria will be available shortly.  It will provide an assessment process undertaken when a Tier 1 assessment indicates that a bridge has a theoretical structural deficiency and the calculated deficiency is not confirmed by a bridge inspection. 

Annexures:

The following annexures should be read in conjunction with the criteria listed above.

Annexure S01: Frame models of complete bridge structures for tier 1 assessments (PDF, 1.74 MB) 
Annexure S02: Modelling deck unit bridge superstructures for tier 1 assessments (PDF, 231 KB) 
Annexure S03: Tier 1 assessment of shear in concrete short span bridges to AS 5100 and AS 3600 (PDF, 642 KB) 
Annexure S04: Tier 2 assessment of shear in concrete short span bridges (PDF, 417 KB)