Austroads is developing a number of distinctive Guides, one of which deals with Bridge Technology. Each Austroads Guide has an associated review panel comprised of senior representatives from Austroads jurisdictions and key stakeholders. The purpose of the review panel is to oversee the development of the Guides. Review panel members advise on the scope, structure and broad content of the Guides and facilitate development and ongoing maintenance of the Guides.

This page provides information about the structure and current status of the Guide to Bridge Technology and is updated as parts of the Guide are released.

The Guide to Bridge Technology covers the following areas:

Part 1: Introduction and Bridge Performance (originally published as Part 1: Overview in February 2006)

Introduces key concepts and overviews of the Guide to Bridge Technology including:

• scope of the Guide to Bridge Technology
• role of the long-term owner, risk ownership
• bridge performance requirements and owner investment policies
• relationship to the bridge design standards
• compliance with statutory requirements
• outline of current good practice
• understanding of the evolution of bridges and bridge loadings
• technical and non-technical worldwide design influences
• evolution of construction methods and equipment
• durability of structures - concrete, steel, prestressed
• foundations and substructures
• floods, fires, impacts
• bridge ratings.

Part 2: Materials

• covers the range of materials used to construct bridges including concrete, steel, timber and non-metallic components
• discusses their characteristics including stress mechanisms.

Part 3: Common Bridge Superstructures, Substructures and Components

• super and sub structure components: timber, steel, wrought iron, reinforced and prestressed concrete
• suspension, cable stayed, arched types
• bridge foundations.

Part 4: Design Procurement, Concept Design and Drafting (originally published as Part 3: Bridge Design Procurement in January 2007)

• bridge design process procurement models
• specifying requirements, design and delivery management process, design checking and review concepts, the use of standardised components, aesthetics/architectural requirements, standard presentation of drawings and reports, designing for constructability and maintenance
• service life of structure and components
• mining and subsidence, earthquakes, flood plains, loadings
• geotechnical and environmental considerations
• specifications and quality assurance
• drawing standards including details required for cost estimating and material quantities.

Part 5: Design Notes

• clarification, expansion and requirements of AS 5100 - Bridge Design Code
• summary of each State's technical notes
• formal and informal learnings about various aspects of design from jurisdictions
• suggested future additions to AS 5100.

Part 6: Bridge Construction

• guidance to the owner's representative on site
• focus on bridge technology, high-risk construction processes e.g. piling, prestressing
• technical surveillance requirements.

Part 7: Maintenance and Management of Existing Bridges

• maintenance issues for timber, reinforced and prestressed concrete, steel, wrought and cast iron bridges
• bridge bearings and deck joints
• other bridge components
• expert monitoring, inspecting and managing of bridge conditions