Structures & Geotechnical Guidance and Manuals

The following documents provide technical direction and describe the Structures Division goals, expectations, processes and procedures for performing structural and geotechnical work for the Department.

Bridge Management inspects, monitors, reports and effectively manages UDOT’s structure inventory using in service inspection data to measure the overall condition of each bridge and prioritize projects for the Bridge Programs.

Structures Design and Geotechnical Design provide structural and geotechnical engineering services, manage structure design and construction, and establish and maintain structural and geotechnical design criteria and standards to ensure a safe, economical and reliable transportation system.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Structures Division has cautiously chosen not to hold any face-to-face workshops. So instead, we are sharing a brief update on what we have been up to and what we are working on. Stay safe out there.

Links to the Manuals

Requests

The Structures Division maintains structure records for bridges and miscellaneous structures. The Structures Division is responsible for assigning and tracking unique Structure numbers and managing initial in service bridge inspections.

Use the following to facilitate structure specific requests:

• Unique structure numbers are required for new bridges, replacement bridges, and state owned box culverts with a span as measured along the centerline of the roadway or an inside rise dimension of 10 feet or more.

• Updated drawing numbers are required for the modification, preservation, or rehabilitation of existing bridge structures.

• All structures over 20 feet in length (either newly constructed or rehabilitated) require an in service bridge inspection.

• An in service inspection is required before opening a structure to traffic. If Structures Division schedules allow, the in service inspection may be scheduled to occur concurrently with the Substantial Completion walk through.

• Findings at the in service inspection may delay opening of the structure to traffic. To avoid delays, ensure requests for in service inspection are requested far enough in advance to provide adequate time to correct any found deficiencies.

Forms and Templates

Specifications and Special Provisions

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Information

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is common practice in Utah.  The Structures Division has widely implemented the use of ABC.  See below for a selection of Lessons Learned Reports and Project Highlights from some of our past ABC projects.

ABC design documents and supporting drawings have been incorporated into the Structures Design and Detailing Manual (SDDM) which consists of the Written Manual, Drawings, and Checklists. The SDDM references ABC decision making tools which are provided below.
For your convenience, hyperlinks are provided inside the drop down menu connecting to the locations where the referenced resources can be found.

Digital Delivery

Digital Delivery with Model Based Design and Construction (MBDC) is the use and transfer of digital data in design, construction, and asset management. Digital Delivery with MBDC is not solely intended to eliminate plan sheets but rather deliver data in more directly consumable formats for project stakeholders.

Go to the Digital Delivery page for more information on UDOT’s current Digital Delivery and MBDC efforts.

Structure Location Map

Helpful Links