Results of Bridge Durability/Longevity Survey

Abstract

This article reports on the results of two actions that were taken to assess the nature, extent, and primary causes of highway bridge deterioration in Alabama. The first was a mail survey questionnaire that was sent to all state and county bridge maintenance engineers in the state. The questionnaire indicated that almost all engineers felt additional attention was needed at each phase of bridge evolution—planning, structural design/materials selection, construction, and maintenance—to enhance durability. Most of the group surveyed felt that concrete bridges (both prestressed and reinforced) were more durable, that support girders and bent caps were the better performing subcomponents, and that joint and bearing assemblies were the weakest performing elements. The second action was a detailed interview with Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) bridge maintenance engineer in conjunction with site visits to numerous ALDOT bridges. The major types and causes of bridge deterioration identified during these visits were faulty deck joints, poor drainage, concrete cracking/spalling, faulty bearings, corrosion of structural steel, fatigue of structural steel, abutment erosion, foundation scour, and poor quality construction/inspection.