The first edition of the
Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code will be published in 1999 by the Canadian
Standards
Association for immediate adoption across the country. The code not
only addresses the design of new bridges, but also covers the
evaluation and
rehabilitation of existing bridges, all in a consistent limit states format in
one document. The code has been calibrated
to a target safety index of 3.5 for new bridges, with a service life of 75
years. For the evaluation of an existing bridge the material conditions may be
assessed by inspection, and operational conditions are known, hence different
safety index options and load factors are given in the code, reflecting these
various conditions. The durability requirements for all structural materials
are addressed in order to improve quality. The code will be issued in both
English and French and will be accompanied by a commentary and
calibration report.