LRFD Design Manual Design ManualUpdated on January 6, 2026 Complete design manual (33.66 MB) .pdf Complete design manual as of April 2023 (24.76 MB) Archived .pdf Summary of updates to manual (123.79 KB) .pdf Related Links CADD bridge standard plan files and design manual and commentary disclaimer LRFD Design ManualCommentary Preface (107.97 KB) .pdf Commentary (95.16 KB) .pdf 1. General Design (591.75 KB) .pdf Commentary (449.79 KB) .pdf 2. Sustainable Bridge Design (369.44 KB) .pdf 3. Preliminary Design of Bridges (948.91 KB) .pdf Commentary (4.13 MB) .pdf 4. Preliminary Design of Culverts (474.23 KB) .pdf Commentary (4.39 MB) .pdf 5. Bridge Superstructure Design 5.1 General (53.23 KB) .pdf 5.2 Deck (626.06 KB) .pdf Commentary (292.45 KB) .pdf 5.3 Haunch (388.26 KB) .pdf Commentary (153.38 KB) .pdf 5.4 Pretensioned Prestressed Concrete Girder (628.26 KB) .pdf Commentary (206.55 KB) .pdf 5.5 Steel Girder (446.73 KB) .pdf Commentary (169.96 KB) .pdf 5.6 Concrete Slab (209.88 KB) .pdf Commentary (18.79 KB) .pdf 5.7 Bearings (536.64 KB) .pdf Commentary (12.67 KB) .pdf 5.8 Additional Components 5.8.1 Railings (1.35 MB) .pdf Commentary (397.58 KB) .pdf Bridge Rail Guide (60.03 MB) .pdf 5.8.2 Pedestrian facilities (118.62 KB) .pdf 5.8.3 Expansion Joint (262.3 KB) .pdf Commentary (224.11 KB) .pdf 5.8.4 Deck Drains (169.92 KB) .pdf Commentary (785.69 KB) .pdf 5.8.5 Reinforcement protection (114.4 KB) .pdf Commentary (27.67 KB) .pdf 5.8.6 Approach Slabs (104.06 KB) .pdf 6. Bridge Substructure Design 6.1 General (239.31 KB) .pdf 6.2 Piles (645.98 KB) .pdf Commentary (377.19 KB) .pdf LRFD Pile Design Examples (3.06 MB) .pdf LRFD workshop on bridge foundations consisting of driven piles in Iowa 6.3 Drilled Shafts (192.21 KB) .pdf Commentary (29.06 KB) .pdf 6.4 Spread Footings (175.09 KB) .pdf Commentary (36.25 KB) .pdf 6.5 Abutments (543.2 KB) .pdf Commentary (155.8 KB) .pdf 6.6 Piers (1.46 MB) .pdf Commentary (184.25 KB) .pdf Appendix for Technical Documents (445.79 KB) .pdf 6.7 Retaining walls (88.62 KB) .pdf 7. Culverts (4.51 MB) .pdf Commentary (89.91 KB) .pdf Precast Barrel Design Methodology (442.51 KB) .pdf 8. Accelerated Bridge Construction (662.55 KB) .pdf 9. Bridge Aesthetics (4.11 MB) .pdf Commentary (235.69 KB) .pdf 10. Special Structures 10.2 Sign Supports ASD/LFD manual section (285.39 KB) .pdf Commentary (41.82 KB) .pdf 11. Falsework Design (341.78 KB) .pdf Commentary (84.5 KB) .pdf 12. Bridge and Culvert Inspection, Rating and Repair 12.1 Bridge Repair (412.25 KB) .pdf Commentary (717.74 KB) .pdf 13. CADD Notes (619.69 KB) .pdf Commentary (192.76 KB) .pdf Contact Bridge Methods Email Address Bridge.Methods@iowadot.us For inquiries regarding the Bridges and Structures Bureau Design Manual, Standards, and CADD workflows. Secondary Navigation Menu Design Policies LRFD Design Manual 2012 LRFD Workshop on Bridge Foundations Bridge & Culvert Plan Checklist Design Criteria Project Deliverables
Design ManualUpdated on January 6, 2026 Complete design manual (33.66 MB) .pdf Complete design manual as of April 2023 (24.76 MB) Archived .pdf Summary of updates to manual (123.79 KB) .pdf Related Links CADD bridge standard plan files and design manual and commentary disclaimer LRFD Design ManualCommentary Preface (107.97 KB) .pdf Commentary (95.16 KB) .pdf 1. General Design (591.75 KB) .pdf Commentary (449.79 KB) .pdf 2. Sustainable Bridge Design (369.44 KB) .pdf 3. Preliminary Design of Bridges (948.91 KB) .pdf Commentary (4.13 MB) .pdf 4. Preliminary Design of Culverts (474.23 KB) .pdf Commentary (4.39 MB) .pdf 5. Bridge Superstructure Design 5.1 General (53.23 KB) .pdf 5.2 Deck (626.06 KB) .pdf Commentary (292.45 KB) .pdf 5.3 Haunch (388.26 KB) .pdf Commentary (153.38 KB) .pdf 5.4 Pretensioned Prestressed Concrete Girder (628.26 KB) .pdf Commentary (206.55 KB) .pdf 5.5 Steel Girder (446.73 KB) .pdf Commentary (169.96 KB) .pdf 5.6 Concrete Slab (209.88 KB) .pdf Commentary (18.79 KB) .pdf 5.7 Bearings (536.64 KB) .pdf Commentary (12.67 KB) .pdf 5.8 Additional Components 5.8.1 Railings (1.35 MB) .pdf Commentary (397.58 KB) .pdf Bridge Rail Guide (60.03 MB) .pdf 5.8.2 Pedestrian facilities (118.62 KB) .pdf 5.8.3 Expansion Joint (262.3 KB) .pdf Commentary (224.11 KB) .pdf 5.8.4 Deck Drains (169.92 KB) .pdf Commentary (785.69 KB) .pdf 5.8.5 Reinforcement protection (114.4 KB) .pdf Commentary (27.67 KB) .pdf 5.8.6 Approach Slabs (104.06 KB) .pdf 6. Bridge Substructure Design 6.1 General (239.31 KB) .pdf 6.2 Piles (645.98 KB) .pdf Commentary (377.19 KB) .pdf LRFD Pile Design Examples (3.06 MB) .pdf LRFD workshop on bridge foundations consisting of driven piles in Iowa 6.3 Drilled Shafts (192.21 KB) .pdf Commentary (29.06 KB) .pdf 6.4 Spread Footings (175.09 KB) .pdf Commentary (36.25 KB) .pdf 6.5 Abutments (543.2 KB) .pdf Commentary (155.8 KB) .pdf 6.6 Piers (1.46 MB) .pdf Commentary (184.25 KB) .pdf Appendix for Technical Documents (445.79 KB) .pdf 6.7 Retaining walls (88.62 KB) .pdf 7. Culverts (4.51 MB) .pdf Commentary (89.91 KB) .pdf Precast Barrel Design Methodology (442.51 KB) .pdf 8. Accelerated Bridge Construction (662.55 KB) .pdf 9. Bridge Aesthetics (4.11 MB) .pdf Commentary (235.69 KB) .pdf 10. Special Structures 10.2 Sign Supports ASD/LFD manual section (285.39 KB) .pdf Commentary (41.82 KB) .pdf 11. Falsework Design (341.78 KB) .pdf Commentary (84.5 KB) .pdf 12. Bridge and Culvert Inspection, Rating and Repair 12.1 Bridge Repair (412.25 KB) .pdf Commentary (717.74 KB) .pdf 13. CADD Notes (619.69 KB) .pdf Commentary (192.76 KB) .pdf Contact Bridge Methods Email Address Bridge.Methods@iowadot.us For inquiries regarding the Bridges and Structures Bureau Design Manual, Standards, and CADD workflows. Secondary Navigation Menu Design Policies LRFD Design Manual 2012 LRFD Workshop on Bridge Foundations Bridge & Culvert Plan Checklist Design Criteria Project Deliverables
Bridge Methods Email Address Bridge.Methods@iowadot.us For inquiries regarding the Bridges and Structures Bureau Design Manual, Standards, and CADD workflows.
Bridge Methods Email Address Bridge.Methods@iowadot.us For inquiries regarding the Bridges and Structures Bureau Design Manual, Standards, and CADD workflows.
