To what extent do you complete design calculations

[71corvette]

When completing a 'typical' highway overpass design I've always been of the school of thought that complete and thorough design calculations are necessary and prudent. In other words, my design calculations closely resemble the scope and complexity of those shown in FHWA's two LRFD bridge design examples (

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/lrfd/examples.htm).

Obviously where an agency has suitable standard details and standard designs those can be incoprorated as appropriate to reduce the overall effort.

However, I've recently heard some contrasting opinions on what is necessary and prudent for bridge design computations. I'm very interested to hear what extent previous design calculations are 'pirated' for use on other projects, and to what extents design 'shortcuts' are used.

Ultimately for me this boils down to the following major issues:
1.) Public safety
2.) Professional obligation to hold #1 paramount
3.) Personal, professional, and corporate liability

As I said, I'm really interested to hear what the industry norm is. Perhaps I'm overly cautious, but I have a hard time believing that based on what's at stake.

 

[LobstaEata]

Pirated calculations? That never happens.

If using computational methods prepared by someone else, I'm sure you will want to perform hand calculations to be sure they are correct. Right? You also would want to check with the original preparer and their company to be sure copyrights are not being violated.

I love those FHWA calcs. They are so nice and pretty. I wish state agencies would give us consultants the amount of time needed to prepare calcs like that and still allow us to make a profit (oops...that's a bad word to the public sector). My calc packages are thorough and accurate, but are not quite to the aesthetic level as the FHWA example you had referenced.