Load- and resistance-factor design of concrete highway bridges.

Load-factor design of concrete bridges has been included in the AASHTO specifications for highway bridges since 1973. This design method leads to savings in materials and a more uniform safety level for bridges. However, the serviceability limit states must be considered by designers. Five methods of specifying load and resistance factors are reviewed and compared, and a procedure for implementing a modern load- and resistance factor design specification is presented. This procedure requires coordination between groups writing various parts of the design specification. /Author/