Design, construction and operation issues of reinforced concrete bridge structures in dry hot climate conditions of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Abstract

It is noted that in Uzbekistan the climate is dry and hot, the region itself is seismically active, which imposes special requirements to design, construction and operation of bridges. Characteristic types of reinforced concrete bridge superstructures in the republic are given. Peculiarities of reinforced concrete application in conditions of dry hot climate are considered. Recommended methods of reducing negative effects when creating reinforced concrete structures and advantages of using monolithic concrete in bridge construction in Uzbekistan are described. Characteristic damages of Uzbekistan reinforced concrete bridge structures are considered and examples of their manifestation on bridges are given. Maintenance organization peculiarities in the republic are analyzed and three operation periods are considered (before 1955, from 1955 to 1990, and after 1991 up to the present time). Further the disadvantages of the calculation by limit states method are analyzed, and the necessity of deformation approach application is discussed, according to which to the known three sides of the structures calculation problem: static, geometrical and physical are added equations describing kinetics of structures interaction processes and their constituent materials with aggressive external media and fields, dependences connecting characteristics of structure materials with external influences parameters, and equations describing damages development, leading to the gradual collapse of the structure.