Since the adoption of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 1st Edition, in 1992, yearly interim revisions have been written to Section 5, Concrete Structures, by members of the AASHTO technical committee T-10, Concrete Design; researchers or other friends of the committee. Much care was taken by the original National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) project 12-33 team to maintain organizational, philosophical and technical consistency throughout the specifications. The yearly interim revisions since 1992, while well meaning, have not always maintained this consistency. The situation is not unique to Section 5. Indeed, AASHTO technical committee T-14, Structural Steel Design, had the opportunity to reorganize Section 6, Steel Structures, during their recent integration of straight and horizontally curved steel girders. Section 5 is also ready to be re-organized after these many years of interim revisions. The following tasks are proposed to develop a revised and reorganized Section 5:

The purpose of this project is to reorganize Section 5, Concrete Structures, of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification so that Section 5 is logically organized, and philosophically and technically consistent. The entire LRFD Bridge Design Specification and AASHTO Bridge Construction Specification must be reviewed and updated as necessary to maintain consistency

This research project would be carried out in six tasks: 1. Survey stakeholders - Stakeholders will be identified and surveyed via conference calls and in-person meetings (for example, during the various T-10 meetings through the year) to identify the needs for returning Section 5 to its original consistency of organization, philosophy and technique. Stakeholders will include AASHTO technical committee T-10, practicing bridge-design engineers, and bridge-design researchers, among others. 2. Develop annotated revised table of contents - With input from Task 1, an annotated revised table of contents will be developed for Section 5. 3. Critically review all interim changes for technical and philosophical consistency - All interim changes since the original first edition of the LRFD Specifications will be reviewed for technical and philosophical consistency. 4. Write interim report - An interim report will be written proposing the revised table of contents and changes to the specifications to restore its philosophical and technical consistency. After review and approval of the interim report by T-10, Task 5 will begin. 5. Develop new revised and reorganized draft Section 5, Concrete Structures - Based upon the comments and direction of T-10 based upon the review of the interim report, a new revised and reorganized draft Section 5 will be developed. After review and approval of the draft section by T-10, Task 6 will begin 6. Develop final Section 5, Concrete Structures - Based upon the comments and suggestions of T-10, the final draft of Section 5 will be developed along with an accompanying agenda item for consideration by T-10 and subsequently the AASHTO Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures (SCOBS).

Section 5 has not been reviewed globally for 20 years. The project will review and restore Section 5 of the LRFD Bridge Design Specification so that it is technically sound and designers find it intuitive and easy to use. Estimated budget: $250,000. 100% SPR Approval has been requested. Participating states to commit $10,000 each year for two or three years.