Structures Division

The Structures Division is responsible for designing and developing plans and specifications relating to all highway structures and for the inspection of all bridges in Tennessee. Key responsibilities include design of foundation conditions, tolerances and complex geometry; the design of major or unusual structures; resolution of hydrology and hydraulic problems; coordination of Geological Survey services; processing of federal disaster assistance, hydraulic studies involving legal action; scour studies; inspection of prefabrication plants, welding procedure review; on-site erection supervision; design and development of contract plans specifications; development of automated structural detailing systems; and bridge inspection.

The Structures Division has approximately 80 employees to accomplish its objectives. Annually, it prepares hydraulic and structural designs for approximately 70 bridges for on-system and off-system routes, including contract plans for the repair and seismic retrofit of state owned bridges. The division also produces designs for other transportation structures such as retaining walls, box culverts and noise barrier walls.