Interdisciplinary Professional Programs
College of Engineering

Highway Bridge System Design

This intensive course introduces the fundamentals of bridge design with a focus on Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) as outlined in AASHTO’s 7th edition. Participants will explore practical applications through detailed examples involving steel beams, concrete decks, prestressed members, and seismic considerations. Special topics such as FRP materials, precast components, and post-tensioned girders provide a forward-looking perspective on bridge innovation.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Apply AASHTO LRFD principles to design steel, concrete, and prestressed bridge components.
  • Analyze structural loadings, limit states, and seismic considerations in bridge systems.
  • Evaluate emerging materials and construction techniques such as FRP, precast decks, and reinforcement-free systems.

Who Should Attend:

  • Structural engineers seeking to expand into bridge design or deepen their LRFD expertise.
  • Technicians, consultants, and contractors involved in bridge planning, design, or review.
  • State and local agency personnel responsible for infrastructure development and compliance.

Upcoming dates coming soon!

Take course number RA00326 when it’s offered next.

Course Details: RA00326

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Course Outline

Introduction to LRFD Highway Bridge Design approach (AASHTO 7th ed.)

Limit states and combined loadings

Bridge Floor Concrete Deck Design

Steel Bridge Design: Step-by-Step, 3-Span, Composite Action, 30-ft Roadway, Major Highway Bridge

Design Example

Pier Hammerhead Design: Step-by-Step, 3-Span Steel Bridge

Seismic Design

Prestressed/Precast Concrete Bridge Design

An Historic Look at Bridge Design

Post-tensioned Spliced Girder Bridge Design

Special Topics

  • Use of composite reinforced polymer materials (FRP)
  • Precast substructures
  • Precast decks
  • Reinforcement free decks
 

Program Director & Instructors

  • Michael Garlich

    Vice President

  • Gustavo Parra-Montesinos

  • Program Director

    Andi Bill

Total Credits:
CEU 1.4, 
PDH 14, 

Course Administration

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

  • Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
  • Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
  • You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

  • Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
  • Provide the registrations representative with:
    • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
    • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
  • You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

  • Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
  • Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
  • Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
  • You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

"Great course for someone new to bridge design or a bridge design veteran."
—Troyer Ritter, Shoemaker & Haaland PE Coralville, Iowa

"Dr. Oliva is very knowledgeable on the subject and does a very wonderful job explaining the topics for everyone to understand."
—Jacob Allen, Structural Engineer Lin Engineering Springfield, Illinois

"This course was a great refresher and also brought to light a few things that I had not considered before."
—Logan Sallee, Bridge Engineer Palmer Engineering Winchester, Kentucky

"Very knowledgeable presenter, excellent instructor."
—Andrew Wilkin, Engineering Supervisor Mabey, Inc. Orlando, Florida

Related Courses

No past courses found for this program.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.