Load Factor Design for Steel Highway Bridges

In 1965 an advisory committee was formed by American Iron and Steel Institute to review current bridge design practices and to develop design recommendations for a more consistent and efficient use of steel in highway bridges. That committee, drawn from highway bridge engineers, university professors, and steel industry representatives, initiated a study that resulted in the Tentative Criteria for Load Factor Design of Steel Highway Bridges. The Tentative Criteria were presented to the AASHO Committee on Bridges and Structures in 1968 and were published in 1969 as AISI Bulletin 15. The Criteria in the bulletin were supplemented by a commentary that explained the origins of various provisions, provided supporting evidence, and cited basic references. After a year of study and certain modifications, the Criteria were adopted by the AASHO Committee on Bridges and Structures in 1970 as an alternate design method and were published in the 1971 AASHO Interim Specifications.