Roadways: Design Storm

Design Storm

Primary Guidance Provide a minimum bridge clear roadway width so the bridge is not classified as Functionally Obsolete Bridge lane and shoulder widths should match the approach roadway lane and shoulder widths unless it results in a Functionally Obsolete bridge Provide sufficient bridge width to safely address bicycle and pedestrian requirements Accommodate the needs of future capacity improvements that will occur within 20 years. For existing bridges within capacity improvement projects, consider reducing lane or shoulder widths on the bridge to avoid the need to widen the bridge On major bridge rehabilitation projects, consider minor deck widening to address a Functionally Obsolete designation or substandard shoulders and sidewalks Consider widening a bridge to reduce the number of construction stages, if the widening cost is less than the additional construction stages cost

Discussion Design Storm for Bridges and Culverts over Waterways Allowable roadway overtopping is based upon the roadway classification, the level of risk associated with culvert and roadway failure, potential backwater increases, possible redirection of floodwaters, FEMA floodplains location, and an economic assessment or analysis justifying flood frequencies different than the minimum flood frequencies listed below. AASHTO Classification Flood Frequency Storm Interstate, other Freeways and Expressways and Principal Arterials 100 year Intermediate and Minor Arterials 50 year Collectors 25 year Local Roads 10 year At a minimum, size structures to preclude overtopping by the design storm for the roadway classification. Design exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis in instances where overtopping is considered low-risk, when there is no history of overtopping, or when based on value-engineering. Site conditions, such as existing development, may also constrain solutions that do not meet the design storm, resulting in in-kind replacements. In addition, H/H analysis must comply with COMAR 26.17.04 regarding impacts to floodplains. Water surface increases must be limited to 0.1 ft. on improved properties; up to 1.0 ft. on unimproved properties with property owner notification and/or concurrence and mitigation. If the structure is within a FEMA floodplain, the water surface increase must be kept to 0.00 ft. Scour A scour evaluation or assessment must be performed and approved for any bridge or bottomless culvert over a waterway that is to be rehabilitated or replaced with federal or State funds. Structures with paved bottoms (pipes, pipe arches, box culverts, etc.) do not require a scour evaluation. A scour evaluation is a detailed scour study to estimate scour depths at substructure foundations, and a scour assessment consists of a field and office review of plans and records to determine the degree of risk of scour damage. If the scour damage risk is low, no further study is needed. If the risk is high, detailed scour evaluations or additional studies are needed. Action is needed to address and minimize the potential for scour damage and resulting risk to the public. Scour evaluations should be performed for the 100 year storm regardless of the roadway functional classification. This is to ensure that the bridge will not wash out in a major storm event, which can lead to a loss of life. The resulting cost increase to the substructure foundations are significantly lower than the cost of replacing an entire bridge.

See Also

• Practical Design Implementation Guidance