Abstract
Nigerian road infrastructure is in a despicable condition most especially the culverts and the bridges across the Country and majority of the bridges constructed on Nigerian highways are girder bridges. Most of the infrastructure are decaying, overstretched and aged, all attributed to poor maintenance of the transport infrastructure. Bridges are essential components of national growth which enables the movement of goods and services across inter-states, regions and beyond national boundaries. The current structural integrity of these girder bridges is either not documented or documentation is unavailable to the general public. This research looked at the current status of girder bridges along the Keffi/Uke - Gombe highway with the objective of building a database on the structural status of the existing bridges and its components. The inspection team documented and graded any concerns and proffered solutions to guide the authorities in deciding repair and rehabilitation requirements where deemed necessary. Visual Inspection Method (VIM) and the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) were the methods used for data collection on the condition of bridges along the route. The data from the inspection carried out indicated the absence of any kind of maintenance, repair or rehabilitation by qualified professionals on most of the existing bridges along the route. However, it was observed that the Dindima and Gwaram Bridges need immediate preventive rehabilitation while the Kwadon / Liji /Kurba Bridge has failed due to poor design and should be reconstructed. Keywords : Girder bridge, Visual inspection, Transport infrastructure, Highway maintenance DOI : 10.7176/CER/11-8-02 Publication date :September 30 th 2019
Highlights
Bridges are a critical component of a nation’s infrastructure, making it possible to transport raw materials and finished goods to factories, warehouses, suppliers, distributors, stores, and end-consumers
Girder Bridges are the oldest form of bridges
This is probably due to their simplicity as in its most basic form; a girder bridge consists of a horizontal beam resting directly on supports at each end
Summary
3.1 CONDITION OF UKE BRIDGE The Uke Bridge is located along Abuja-Keffi expressway on coordinate N08° 54.742' E07° 42.803' of the prime meridian. Concrete spalling 3 inches deep was observed on one of the piers This has led to rebar exposure and loss of section. Debris was observed to have lodged and settled between the girders on the pier caps due to deck joint leakage. This has encouraged unwanted vegetation growth which can limit longitudinal and lateral movement of the beams and lead to deterioration of the elastomeric bearings. The bridge at Hadari has several of its pile caps exposed by erosion and left vulnerable to scouring. Erosion and landslide due to runoff has removed much of the embankment backfill and trees have grown directly behind the wing wall
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