## Structures Manual Revision Process

## 1.0 General

Modifications to the Structures Manual may be the result of changes in FDOT specifications, FDOT organization, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations, and AASHTO requirements; or occur from recent experience gained during construction, through maintenance, and research. Manual users are encouraged to suggest modifications and improvements such as design procedures, text clarity, technical data, or commentary.

## 2.0 Initiation

A. Submit proposed revisions to the State Structures Design Engineer, 605 Suwannee St, (MS 33) Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 or email electronically.

B. The proposed revision should be accompanied by supporting information including:

1.) A brief statement describing the perceived problem.

2.) Industry or Department contacts providing information on the issue.

3.) The expected fiscal impact that will result if this change is implemented.

4.) Impact on other Department policies and documents.

C. A draft of the proposed revision will be prepared using MSWord track changes (strike through format). If a new section is proposed, the appropriate Volume of the Structures Manual will be used as a formatting guide. The draft revision should be written in active voice using the appropriate outline format.

## 3.0 Adoption of Revisions

Revisions to the Structures Manual are issued by the SDO as Temporary Design Bulletins or Permanent Revisions according to a formal adoption process.

## 3.1 Temporary Design Bulletins (TDB) (07/05)

A. TDBs are mandatory, supersede the current Structures Manual, and will be issued when the State Structures Design Engineer (SSDE) deems a change essential to production or structural integrity issues and in need of immediate implementation. TDB’s may address issues in plans production, safety, structural design methodology, critical code changes, or new specification requirements.

B. TDBs are effective for up to 360 calendar days unless superseded by subsequent TDB’s or Permanent Revisions to the Structures Manual. TDBs automatically become proposed Permanent Revisions unless withdrawn from consideration by the SSDE.

C. TDBs indicate their effective date of issuance and are numbered sequentially with reference to the Structures Manual year of issuance. For example, Temporary Design Bulletin No. C07-2 would be the second Bulletin issued in 2007 for the Structures Manual.

D. TDBs may be proposed by any DSDE, DSFE or PE in the SDO for consideration by the SSDE. The author must research all affected FDOT policies, criteria and specifications. Proposed TDBs must be submitted to one of the Assistant SSDEs for review, comment and concurrence. If the Assistant SSDE concurs with the proposal, it will be sent to the SSDE for consideration, final approval and publication on the SDO’s website.

E. TDBs that significantly affect other offices must be composed with the assistance of the affected office. TDBs that significantly affect construction will be issued as a Joint Bulletin with the State Construction Office (coordinate with the State Construction Office on the proper Construction Bulletin number).

F. Proposed TDBs must be formatted to match the outline and style of appropriate section of the Structures Manual and include Requirements, Commentary, Background, Implementation and Contact sections.

1.) Requirements: This section codifies exceptions, revisions and/or additions to policies or criteria as specified in current adopted specifications (i.e. Structures Manual, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification, etc.). Requirements must reference the specific section) in the Structures Manual or other documents where they are to be incorporated. Revisions to the Department’s Standard Specifications will be handled through the Specifications Office.

2.) Commentary: This section provides the essential technical support behind the new Requirement. It includes references to the literature, both pro and con, that influenced the decision. This section is intended be brief and will be published along with the Requirements in the identified document. If the Requirements are being added to the SDG, the Commentary is added in italics at the end of the amended section.

3.) Background: This section discusses the circumstances that prompted the TDB. It should not duplicate the Commentary but simply facilitate the readers understanding of situations that occurred and the SDO’s response to them. It is also appropriate to make recommendations on policy, criteria and/or specification additions and revisions to other offices in this section.

4.) Implementation: This section specifies the timeline upon which the requirements are to be implemented. Factors to be considered in the implementation plan include funding sources to implement changes to existing design and construction contracts, effect on adopted work program, etc. Implementation plans typically include effective, publishing and letting dates for the Requirements.

5.) Contact: Although the SSDE is the responsible author of all TDBs, this section lists the bulletin’s key contact name, title, work telephone number and email address.

## 3.2 Permanent Revisions

Permanent Revisions to the manual are made semi-annually. If the SDO considers an individual revision, or an accumulation of revisions, to be substantive, the manual may be completely rewritten. The following steps are required for adoption of a revision.

A. SDO Staff will assess proposed revisions and develop the initial draft for the SSDE’s approval.

B. The SDO Staff will conduct the necessary research, coordinate the proposed modification with all other affected offices and, if the proposed modification is deemed appropriate, prepare a complete, written modification with any needed commentary. The SSDE’s approval signifies the SDO’s position on the proposed modifications.

C. Proposed modifications will be electronically transmitted to TAG members and others allowing for no less than two weeks review time. Other parties include, but are not limited to: State Construction Office, State Maintenance Office, State Materials Office, State Roadway Design Office, and FHWA. DSDE members of TAG will coordinate the proposed modifications with all other appropriate offices at the district level.

D. Each TAG member will review proposed modifications and provide comments as necessary. The SDO will review all modification comments received from TAG members and other FDOT/FHWA offices and provide a Response to Comments for TAG members consideration when necessary.

E. When possible, discussion and resolution of modification comments will occur at the next scheduled TAG meeting, otherwise this may occur electronically.

F. The SDO Staff will resolve each recommended modification and the proposed Structures Manual will be posted on the Structures Intranet website for approval by a simple majority vote of the TAG members.

G. The approved Structures Manual will be posted on the Structures Design Office Internet website.