Development of optimal bridge management system considering practical usefulness

Abstract

Abstract: Several bridge management systems (BMS) have been developed to estimate the future expenditure for bridge management, but those have not been sufficiently applied to the practical bridge management for the reason of complex problem that the damaged bridge members should be repaired at one time as much as possible considering the whole bridge system. In this study, a useful BMS for practical bridge management is developed without special techniques. The deterioration transfer curves for slab, girder and abutment are introduced for three classifications of rapid deterioration, standard deterioration and no degradation members. The most economical repair plan is determined by comparing the life cycle costs for nine cases considering the annual budget limit. The effectiveness and practical usefulness of the system are illustrated by applying it to the bridge management of 1381 bridges in Fukui city, Japan.