Researchers have developed sophisticated reliability-based bridge rating procedures to combat the severity of infrastructure condition. the objective of this study is to develop a computer tool to transfer this bridge rating technology to practicing engineers and to provide guidance on how to use this technology. the computer-sided evaluation package would (1) aid the engineer in making sound judgement for bridge modeling, (2) perform the various rating analyses, (3) provide guidance through the rating process, and (4) interpret the results of standard in microcomputer application user-interfaces. The analysis routines will range from the simple standard AASHTO procedures to a full-system inelastic limit state analysis. A contest-sensitive hypertext system will be used to train and guide the engineer throughout the rating process. The impact of the system could be enormous given the limited computational facilities of most highway departments. It would be an efficient and rational tool to use to evaluate the safety of the nation's bridges.
