Condition Assessment for Bridge Management

Abstract

Integrated analytical and experimental research, conducted for exploring objective, global condition assessment and evaluation of bridge serviceability and safety, is summarized. A related terminology with definitions for critical terms is offered. Nondestructive and destructive field testing and structural identification of seven actual bridge test specimens enabled formulating a bridge condition assessment and reliability evaluation methodology. Field-calibrated analytical models, developed by structural identification, are studied to understand the real behavior and performance of actual bridges and to quantify relative contributions of different stiffness and resistance mechanisms. While our heuristic knowledge base has served us well, further rationalizing our bridge engineering practice is needed to achieve the optimum management of the highway transportation infrastructure necessary for continued advances in the next century.