This construction handbook has been developed for use by contractors and construction engineers involved in bridge construction on Federal-aid highway projects. This document may also be of interest to falsework design engineers, and supplements information found in the Guide Design Specification for Bridge Temporary Works.(1) The content is construction-oriented, focusing primarily on standards of material quality and means and methods. This handbook contains chapters on falsework, formwork, and temporary retaining structures. For more indepth discussion on a particular topic, related literature and references are identified.

Chapter Two. Falsework identifies material standards, the assessment and protection of foundations, construction-related topics, loading considerations, and inspection guidelines. Methods for in situ testing of foundations are identified. General guidelines regarding timber construction, proprietary shoring systems, cable bracing, bridge deck falsework, and traffic openings are also discussed.

Chapter Three. Formwork identifies and describes the various components and formwork types commonly used in bridge construction. Information on load considerations and design nomogmphs are provided. General guidelines relating to formwork construction and form maintenance are also discussed.

Chapter Four. Temporary Retaining Structures focuses primarily on cofferdams and their application to bridge construction. As indicated by the chapter title, however, general topics relating to a wide range of temporary retaining structures are also addressed. Specific topics include classification of construction types, relative costs, sealing and buoyancy control, seepage control, and protection. The construction of timber sheet pile Cofferdams, soldier pile and wood lagging cofferdams, and steel sheet pile cofferdams is reviewed. Methods of internal bracing, and soil and rock anchorage are also discussed.

Section properties of standard dressed and rough lumber, bridge deck falsework design examples, recommended thicknesses for wood lagging, and steel sheet pile data are included as appendixes. Definitions and related publications are identified below.