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1. (6 points) Define \"Structurally Deficient\" and \"Functionally Obsolete\" as

ID: 1713691 • Letter: 1

Question

1. (6 points) Define "Structurally Deficient" and "Functionally Obsolete" as used in rating bridges for a report like the ASCE Report Card for America's Infrastructure (note that your textbook uses the term "structurally obsolete" instead of the currently accepted term of "functionally obsolete"). 2. (4 points) Which one do you think is "worse" and explain your thinking of why it is "worse". 3. (5 points) Give some examples of bridge characteristics that would cause a bridge to be classified as "Structurally Deficient". 4. (5 points) Give some examples of bridge characteristics that would cause a bridge to be classified as "Functionally Obsolete".

Explanation / Answer

1. Structurally deficient – Bridges that require significant maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement. These bridges must be inspected at least every year since critical load-carrying elements were found to be in poor condition due to deterioration or damage.

Functionally obsolete – Bridges that do not meet current engineering standards, such as narrow lanes or low load-carrying capacity. A bridge that is both structurally deficient and functionally obsolete is only counted as structurally deficient.

2. Functionally obsolete bridges are worse because that was built to standards that are not used today. They do not have adequate lane widths, shoulder widths, or vertical clearances to serve current traffic demand, or those that may be occasionally flooded. It is not possible to use them but structurally deficient can be used by some maintenance and repair.

3. Characteristics of Structurally Deficient bridge: A condition rating of 4 or less for the deck, superstructures, substructures, culvert and retaining walls. An appraisal rating of 2 or less for structural condition and waterway adequacy.

4. Characteristics of Functionally Obsolete bridge: An appraisal rating of 3 or less for deck geometry, under clearance and approach roadway alignment. An appraisal rating of 3 for structural condition and waterway adequacy.