The primary function of a bridge deck is to support the vehicular vertical loads and distribute these loads to the steel superstructure. This course provides practical information regarding the decking options and design considerations for steel bridges, presenting deck types such as concrete deck slabs, metal grid decks, orthotropic steel decks, wood decks, and several others.

The choice of a particular deck type may depend on several factors, including the specific application, initial cost, life cycle cost, durability, weight, and owner requirements. For the deck types discussed herein, a brief description is provided, along with general design and detailing considerations.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Bridge Decks
• Concrete Deck Slabs
• Methods of Analysis and Design
• Bridge Deck Overhang (Cantilever Slab) and Barriers (Railings)
• Precast Deck Slabs, Precast Construction Methods
• Full-Depth Precast Concrete Deck Panel
• Partial-Depth Precast Concrete Deck Panels
• Post Tensioning of Cast-in-Place Deck Slabs, Placement Sequence
• Edge Support, Haunches
• Types of Formwork
• Deck Overhangs and Bracketing
• Serviceability, Typical Applications, Detailing Considerations
• Minimum Negative Flexure Concrete Deck Reinforcement
• Skewed Bridges
• Future Deck Replacement
• Concrete Deck Reinforcement
• Types of Metal Grid Decks (Open, Filled, Partially-Filled, Unfilled
• Design and Detailing Considerations
• Analysis and Determination of Force Effects
• Composite Action
• Orthotropic Steel Decks
• Types of Wood Decks (Glued Laminated, Stress Laminated, Spike Laminated Deck, Plank)
• Other Deck Systems (Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), Aluminum, Sandwich) 

PDH Credits: 5 PDH

Disclaimer: This course on Steel Bridge Design is based on FHWA non-restricted publications in the public domain, dating from 2015 to 2016. All subsequent versions of these courses have become proprietary under a "Rights Reserved" restriction by the AISC and are thus not available as public domain courseware. Design principles and methodologies used in this previous version remain relevant and up to date, as of late 2023. To view the latest versions, please visit the AISC download site at: https://www.aisc.org/nsba/design-and-estimation-resources/steel-bridge-design-handbook