T115: This second course on design explores the constraints related to type, size, and method selection. Materials control strength and durability characteristics. The industries’ manufacturing capabilities are important conditions on design assumptions. Plant handling and transportation constraints need to be considered in design. This course presents the important initial information required before beginning design, enabling designers to take advantage of the flexibility and economy of precast, prestressed concrete products while avoiding pitfalls that could make solutions less cost effective.
 
After completing this course, the student will be able to:

• Recognize new and traditional construction materials and their differences
• Differentiate among fabrication methods
• Identify devices and mechanisms used to precast members
• Describe aspects of the design that affect the production of precast members
• Recall product handling and shipping constraints, as well as transportation methods, that must be considered during design

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PCI eLearning Courses T100: Courses on Design and Fabrication of Precast, Prestressed Concrete Bridge Beams

These courses grew from the need for readily accessible, authoritative educational resources. PCI, with assistance provided by the Federal Highway Administration and in collaboration with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, enlisted a large team of educational course developers, all with practical experience in the design of bridges, many have conducted university research, and most have National Cooperative Highway Research Program development experience. These courses were written by authors who are experts in design. Teams of subject matter experts reviewed and critiqued each course. The courses were then balloted and approved by the PCI Committee on Bridges and the PCI Technical Activities Council. The courses provide the overarching theory, the concise design steps, and information about various issues that will be encountered during design and fabrication of precast, prestressed concrete flexural bridge members.

On the PCI eLearning portal, course participants are able to download reference materials in pdf format to build a library of cited and relevant publications.

At random locations in each course, short quizzes will appear to be sure concepts are being understood. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are available for compliance with state requirements for registered professional engineers. The credits are accepted in every state. After successful completion of the course, a simple application is all that is required. There is no cost.