Bridge Design Manual
The 2015 Bridge Design Manual was developed to provide guidance to design engineers, technicians, and inspection personnel engaged in bridge design, plan preparation, construction, and inspection activities for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. It encourages uniform application of design methodology and criteria, as well as standard details in plan preparation for bridges and other related structures.
This Manual is intended to supplement and provide interpretation of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and is an aid for the layout, design, and preparation of plans and details for highway structures. It is not intended to be a textbook on structural engineering, but instead is a guide to general practices followed by NHDOT Bridge Design personnel.
This Manual does not address all conceivable problems that may arise during the project development/design process, but is intended to be a sufficiently comprehensive bridge engineering guide when applied with sound engineering judgment. A thorough knowledge of the contents of this Manual is essential for efficient engineering of NHDOT highway structures.
The Bridge Design Manual should be used in conjunction with the Bridge Design Drawings (Bridge Detail Sheets, Bridge Details, and Sample Plans). It does not replace, modify, or supersede any provisions of the New Hampshire Standard Specifications, plans, or contracts.
Updating the Bridge Design Manual is a continual process, with revisions being made periodically. Suggestions for improvements and updating of this Manual are always welcome. Design changes will be issued through Design Memorandums, which will remain in effect until superseded by an update to the Bridge Design Manual. Changes to this Manual must be approved by the Administrator of the NHDOT Bridge Design Bureau.
Design Memorandums
Active Memorandums
Design Memorandums are issued as interim updates to the Bridge Design Manual. They supersede the contents of the Manual and will remain in effect until superseded by a chapter revision.
Inactive Memorandums
These memorandums have been incorporated into the latest revision of the Bridge Design Manual. They are provided to document and clarify the evolution of the Manual.
- 2022-02 - NHDOT Precast Concrete Soundwall (12/21/2022)
- 2022-01 - NHDOT Precast Concrete Components Special Provision (11/21/2022)
- 2020-01 - Revised Temporary Barrier for Bridge Projects (11/5/2020)
- 2018-03 - Temporary Barrier for Bridge Projects (5/15/2018)
- 2018-02 - Preformed Closed Cell Expansion Joints (4/4/2018)
- 2018-01 - Revised Cast-in-Place Deck Haunch Detail, Prestressed Partial-Depth Concrete Deck Panel (1/25/2018)
- 2017-02 - Cast-in-Place Deck Haunch Detail, Prestressed Partial-Depth Concrete Deck Panel (12/12/2017)
- 2017-01 - LRFD Design for OHSS, ITS Supports and their Foundations; Straight Anchor Rods for Foundations (10/27/2017)
- 2016-01 - Bridge Railing Bending Requirements (3/14/2016)
- 2014-02 - Discontinuance of Aluminum Bridge and Approach Rail (6/12/2014)
- 2014-02 - Bridge Deck Expansion Joints (3/04/2014)
- 2014-01 - Bridge Design Website Changes (1/21/2014)
- 2013-01 - Vehicular Collision Pier Protection (3/20/2014)
- 2012-01 - Sign Structures (3/20/2014)
- Deflection Notice (10/01/2004)
Bridge Design Manual
Combined Manual:
NHDOT Bridge Design Manual Dec 2024 (pdf, 28 MB) (partially completed)
Date Issued: January 2015
Version: v2.0
Individual Chapters:
- Cover
- File Size: 273 KB
- Revised: December 2024
- Table of Contents
- File Size: 320 KB
- Revised: December 2024
- Foreword
- File Size: 80 KB
- Revised: February 2016
- Chapter 1 - General Information
- File Size: 6.2 MB
- Revised: March 2016
- Revision History - Chapter 1
- Chapter 2 - Bridge Selection
- File Size: 20.2 MB
- Revised: August 2018
- Revision History - Chapter 2
- Chapter 3 - Preliminary Design Requirements
- File Size: 1.4 MB
- Revised: February 2016
- Revision History - Chapter 3
- Chapter 4 - Loads and Load Factors
- File Size: 1 MB
- Revised: March 2016
- Revision History - Chapter 4
- Chapter 5 - Seismic Design and Retrofit
- File Size: 945 KB
- Revised: January 2015
- Chapter 6 - Substructure
- File Size: 13.6 MB
- Revised: October 2023
- Revision History - Chapter 6
- Chapter 7 - Superstructure (partially completed)
- File Size: 16.8 MB
- Revised: December 2024
- Revision History - Chapter 7
- Chapter 8 - Concrete Structures (not completed)
- File Size:
- Revised:
- Chapter 9 - Miscellaneous Structures (not completed)
- File Size:
- Revised:
- Chapter 10 - Non-Bridge Structures
- File Size: 13 MB
- Revised: December 2024
- Revision History - Chapter 10
- Chapter 11 - Preparation of Plans
- File Size: 4.4 MB
- Revised: December 2024
- Revision History - Chapter 11
- Chapter 12 - Overview of Existing Bridge Section, Bridge Inspection, and Load Ratings
- File Size: 1.8 MB
- Revised: June 2019