Examining Bridge Failure and Deterioration

Examining Bridge Structure Failure and Deterioration

INTRODCUCTION

Bridge failure is defined as loss of a structural component, basic functionality, collapse, or any substantial damage that compromises function and use. One major cause of bridge failure is deterioration, which may consist of one or more simple reasons. A bridge can fail due to material performance, aging, overloading, error, and/or incorrect maintenance. Through different examples in society, bridge failure and deterioration has now been studied through various research studies. From these studies, design codes, guidelines, and laws may be revised for less failure in the future.

LITERATURE REVIEW

RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND GAP

Basic research and evaluation of bridges begin with simple maintenance. Most bridges are under some sort of bridge management system that manages a bridges during design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Maintenance is typically documented in inventory, which allows data to be formed along with standards and codes that further evaluate use and function of bridge structures. One example of research development in bridge structure failure and deterioration is through infrastructure management. In-service monitoring and evaluation of structural conditions is the most essential part of infrastructure management. Accurate evaluation and inventory allows for adequate models to be completed to better deal with maintenance and any preventative methods that can be done to maintain a functional structure. With bridge failures still occurring on a daily basis from deterioration, there is still a lack of understanding and enforcement of bridge maintenance. There needs to be more work done to evaluate bridge life and protocol for remediating/rehabilitating bridges for a useful service life.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. Establish a method and procedure for evaluating and documenting conditions of bridges.

2. Formulate a scale/standard to rate bridge functionality based on different stages of bridge deterioration and failure.

3. Establish standards or additional measures/methods of evaluating and documenting conditions of bridges.

METHODOLOGY

The typical system for health monitoring includes sensors, hardware, software and a data management system. Sensors are used to monitor structural behavior and send signals to data processing units through signal transmission technologies. Subsequently, the structure is inspected, diagnosis is established, and appropriate repair is suggested by engineers. Large amounts of data are collected from the sensors. Therefore, data management systems are one useful method for the