Bridges

AS 5100 is the only Australian standard specific to bridges. For the first time, the scope has been extended from primarily a structural design standard to include other bridge related topics including safety-in-design, climate change and sustainability. It has been expanded to nine parts. AS 5100 Part 1 “Scope and General” has now been updated to reflect the changes to the other parts of the standard including the two additional new parts.

A significant number of new materials have also been included to better reflect existing bridges and emerging technology for new bridges.

It has also had an extensive refresh to ensure that that the clauses are clear and relevant. There has been a conscience effort to include enhancements in a number of areas as well as reflecting new areas that have been incorporated in other parts of the standard. With more diverse bridge owners ranging from transport authorities to toll operators, it is essential that this part is more inclusive to assist all parties involved with bridges.

Major changes include:

• Bridge barrier loads have been changed from alignment with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 350 (NCHRP 350) to the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).

• Rail collision loads have been comprehensively redrafted.

• Environment factors have been introduced.

Other changes include:

• A major effort to provide more comprehensive design details for rail bridges.

• Light rail bridges has been incorporated for the first time.

• The hydraulics section has been expanded to provide more clarity between flood immunity and serviceability design life.