FRT 198, Load Rating of Bridge Size Culverts

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is responsible for load rating all bridge size (according to the National Bridge Inspection Standards) culverts for their safe load carrying capacity. The current load rating software used by the Cabinet does not accurately load rate culverts when there is more than two feet of fill on the structure. The objective of this study is to evaluate available, user friendly load rating software that would best benefit the Cabinet’s needs for load rating bridge size culverts for their safe load carrying capacity. Then load rate approximately 1,300 culverts for their safe load carrying capacity. This includes calculating the Inventory and Operating Rating and the culvert’s capacity for Kentucky’s ‘legal trucks’ (types 1, 2, 3, & 4).