Civil Engineering Association

INTRODUCTION
I.1 GENERAL
A.The FDOT Structures Design Guidelines, (SDG) is Volume 1 of the Structures Manual. See the Structures Manual Introduction for additional information including authority, scope, distribution and process for modifications to the Manual.
B.The SDG incorporates technical design criteria and includes additions, deletions, or modifications to the requirements of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (LRFD).
C.This volume of the Structures Manual provides engineering standards, criteria, and guidelines for developing and designing bridges and retaining walls for which the Structures Design Office (SDO) and District Structures Design Offices (DSDO) have overall responsibility.
D.Information on miscellaneous roadway appurtenances as well as general administrative, geometric, shop drawing, and plans processing may be found in the Plans Preparation Manual, (PPM) Topic Nos. 625-000-007 and 625-000-008).
I.2 FORMAT
A.The SDG chapters are organized more by "component," "element," or "process" than by "material" as is the LRFD. As a result, the chapter numbers and content of the SDG do not necessarily align themselves in the same order or with the same number as LRFD. LRFD references are provided to quickly coordinate and associate SDG criteria with that of LRFD. The LRFD references may occur within article descriptions, the body of the text, or in the commentary and are shown within brackets; i.e., [1.3], [8.2.1]. See Table I.3-1 for a cross reference of the SDG to LRFD and Table I.3-2 for a cross reference of the SDG to AASHTO LRFD-Movable Highway Bridge Design Specifications. These cross references are provided only as an aid to the Designer and are not necessarily a complete listing of SDG and LRFD requirements.
B.The SDG is written in the active voice to Structural Designers, Professional Engineers, Engineers of Record, Structural Engineers, and Geotechnical Engineers engaged in work for the Florida Department of Transportation.