N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 17 § 165.10

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 165.10 - Structural integrity and safety rating system

(a) Structural integrity and safety rating refers to a systematic method for evaluating and ranking the relative structural integrity and safety of a bridge or group of bridges against structural failure and/or collapse. A structural integrity and safety rating system shall, at a minimum, consider the following fundamental bridge vulnerability factors, where applicable:

(1) Condition: refers to the extent of deterioration and/or loss of ability to structurally function as was intended by its original or rehabilitated design or loss of structural safety.

(2) Load capacity: refers to the ability to safely carry live loads that may be imposed upon the bridge.

(3) Redundancy: refers to the bridge's ability to retain structural capacity, stability and servicability if one or more primary load carrying components or primary structural members were to structurally fail.

(4) Fracture susceptibility: a measure of the presence of details and/or behavioral characteristics that are prone to fracture.

(5) Hydraulic vulnerability: refers to the bridge's potential for failure due to its exposure to hydraulic forces, or due to erosion or scour of the foundation material.

The rating system has the capability to rank the relative structural integrity of bridges, as well as identify bridges that have any significant vulnerability with regard to any one or a number of the above-noted vulnerability factors.

(b) Structural integrity and safety ratings shall be made for all bridges. The rating system to be used shall be either the system developed by the New York State Department of Transportation for use on its bridges or the public entity may develop a rating system unique for bridges under its jurisdiction. Any public entity that establishes a rating system for use in complying with this Code shall file with the New York State Department of Transportation a description of the rationale and/or logic of the rating method, as well as a list of integrity ratings for all bridges under their jurisdiction. Filing of rating systems and bridge structural integrity and safety ratings shall be with the New York State Department of Transportation Main Office Structures Division. Structural integrity and safety ratings shall be updated on a biennial basis to reflect any changes recorded by general inspections.

(c) The New York State Department of Transportation shall maintain a structural integrity and safety rating system which it will apply to all bridges which it inspects. This system is to be made available to all public entities for their own use. The description and criteria of the New York State Department of Transportation structural integrity and safety ratings are issued as a reference document to this Code, and is titled "New York State Department of Transportation Structural Integrity and Safety Rating Guide." This document also contains criteria, based on a structural integrity and safety rating system, for requiring a Structural Integrity Evaluation as described in section 165.11 of this Part.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 17 § 165.10