Guide specifications for bridges vulnerable to coastal storms

This document contains comprehensive specifications for the design of bridges vulnerable to coastal storms. This guideline embodies new concepts not included in previous design provisions. The methods for calculating wave forces on superstructures are based primarily on numerical simulation of the state of pressure, velocity, and acceleration within the water as a wave passes under or over bridge cross sections. Coefficients needed for the numerical simulation process, known as the Physics Based Method (PBM), were developed through physical wave tank tests. Bridge failures due to storm surge and wave loading in Gulf Coast states during recent years provided limited field data that was used to further verify these methods. Also included are current-induced forces guidelines that were the results of recent research conducted at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.