COMPREHENSIVE BRIDGE MAINTENANCE
FINDING DETERIORATION AND DETERMINING THE CAUSE ARE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT FACTS OF BRIDGE MAINTENANCE. THE NEED IS STRESSED FOR A COMPETENT INSPECTION TEAM OF AT LEAST TWO BRIDGE MAINTENANCE FOREMEN OR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS. THE REPORT DIRECTS ATTENTION TO THE SMALLER BRIDGES, BUT THE ITEMS DISCUSSED ALSO APPLY TO LARGE STRUCTURES. THE DECK WEARING SURFACE WHERE SMALL AREAS OF PAVEMENT HAVE DETERIORATED ARE DISCUSSED. THE PROBLEM OF EXPANSION JOINTS FROZEN WITH DEBRIS AND/OR RUST, AND JOINTS WHERE THEY ARE NOT AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE STRUCTURE ARE DESCRIBED. RAILINGS, PARTICULARLY HOLLOW TUBING OR PIPE RAILING, SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY CHECKED. ABUTMENTS AND WING WALLS BELOW THE DECK, AND THE RESULTS OF COLLISION DAMAGE ARE REVIEWED. STEEL HAMMER SOUNDING OF ABUTMENTS IS RECOMMENDED. SOUNDING WITH A STEEL HAMMER OF AREAS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STRUCTURAL DECK SHOWING EFFLORESCENCE OR LEAKING WILL INDICATE POOR OR LOOSE CONCRETE. DEBRIS, PARTICULARLY BIRD DROPPINGS AND LEAVES, SHOULD BE REMOVED. BEAM AND GIRDER SEATS AND BEARINGS BOTH FIXED AND MOVABLE MUST BE EXAMINED. STEEL WORK SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR RUST AND CORROSION, AND SO MUST ALL RIVETS AND WELDS FOR LOOSE OR RUSTED HEADS AND CRACKS. FOUNDATIONS AND PILES ARE USUALLY ASSUMED TO BE IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION UNLESS THERE IS SETTLEMENT, TILTING OR MOVEMENT OF THE PIERS, COLUMNS OR ABUTMENTS.
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Authors:
- Packman, I B
- Publication Date: 1971-11
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 11-7
- Serial:
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bearings; Bridge bearings; Bridge decks; Bridge foundations; Bridge members; Bridge railings; Concrete; Deterioration; Expansion joints; Girders; Inspection; Inspectors; Maintenance; Maintenance practices; Standards
- Uncontrolled Terms: Deteriorated concrete
- Old TRIS Terms: Maintenance standards
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00219058
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jan 11 1974 12:00AM