LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) is a relatively new approach used in civil engineering. Engineers at state departments of transportation are beginning to design various infrastructure (e.g., bridges, retaining walls, and slopes) using LRFD methods. As transportation agencies have shifted to LRFD methods, they have faced new challenges and experienced mixed levels of success. This article discusses the development and implementation of LRFD in geotechnical engineering, looking in particular at its implementation at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Comments are offered on the pros and cons of the new LRFD approach. In conclusion, it is stated that use of the LRFD approach in geotechnical engineering can result in better designs than those derived through existing procedures.