The effect of bridge failures on UK technical policy and practice

The first part of this paper sets the scene for growth of the road programme in the UK since 1950 and new additions to the existing stock of bridges. The second part describes the events that gave concern for the preservation of those bridges (such as the failure of four box girder bridges (including one at Milford Haven, UK) and the collapse during construction of the Loddon Bridge over the A329(M) near Reading) and the attention given to the policy and inspection procedures to safeguard the nation's existing stock. The post-tensioning problem and alkali-silica reaction are also discussed. Tables describing the bridge stock, the principal factors influencing maintenance expenditure and the principal tasks are provided, together with concluding observations and acknowledgement of the great efforts of the bridge engineering community over the half-century covered.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/17519430
• Authors:
  • BRIDLE, R J
  • Sims, F A
• Publication Date: 2009-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 39-49
• Serial:
  • ENGINEERING HISTORY AND HERITAGE (PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS)
  • Volume: 162
  • Issue Number: EH1
  • Publisher: Thomas Telford Limited
  • ISSN: 1751-9430

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Box girders; Bridges; Condition surveys; Design; Failure; Policy
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Policy; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01141239
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: TRL
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 30 2009 9:13AM