A graduate of Lafaye.e College and Lehigh University, Dr. Kulicki has over forty years of experience in virtually all aspects of bridge analysis and design including suspension, cable-stayed, and long-span truss and arch bridges. He joined Modjeski and Masters in 1974, retired from full time service at the end of 2013 and is now Chairman Emeritus and Senior Technical Advisor. His experience includes design, research, code development, and teaching. Designs he has led have won many awards including the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement awards and three American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC’s) Prize Bridge awards. Kulicki has authored more than 80 technical papers and presentations, and has contributed to three engineering handbooks. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and has received numerous awards, most recently AISC’s Kimbrough Award. John is both a user of, and a contributor to, the AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications having led the 50-member team of experts in the development of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
ABSTRACT
The bridge design specifications promulgated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the primary source of technical guidance for highway bridge designers in the United States. The various states may make exceptions to these provisions and the basic document has been the basis of national specifications in many other countries.
This presentation will discuss the pre-AASHTO years from the late 1800’s until the early 1900’s and review the design philosophies utilized by AASHTO to provide structural safety. Engineers have been reacting to the lessons taught by natural forces, man-made loadings and socio-economic factors throughout history. This presentation also looks at how failures caused by underestimating natural forces and material limitations have influenced bridge design specifications in the U.S., particularly the earlier AASHTO Standard Specifications and the current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, as well as the knowledge base and the state of professional practice. Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Funding will continue for the LTBP program in the current legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
