| Bridge deterioration & ways to combat it?

Bridge deterioration & ways to combat it?

bloody_darkangelgirl asked:


I was wondering about what happens when bridges deteriorate. For example, a bridge will probably wear down in time due to weather and the constant stress of cars/trains driving over them. What do engineers do to combat these two factors & prolong the longevity of the bridge?

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Comments

2 Responses to “Bridge deterioration & ways to combat it?”

  1. biire2u on May 19th, 2009 8:29 am

    My number one pet peave is using precast concrete for bridge spans. Concrete is only good in compressive modes and any use in tension members always seem to lead to short lives.

    Have you ever noticed how much concrete starts chipping away on relatively young bridges? Gravity and freeze thaw cycles are extra hard on concrete beamed bridges.

    My advice is to use steel for the tension beams coated with an epoxy paint that’s been primered and painted professionally. The deck can be covered with concrete, because concrete shines in compressibility and wearability.
    Treated wood is also good structurally and lasts. Wood never suffers from fatigue and even bridges that have excessive vibration have no problem with early life when made with wood

  2. LeAnne on May 22nd, 2009 2:14 am

    It’s (like just about everything else) is a cost concern.
    Obviously, if properly designed and engineered bridges were constructed of a high grade stainless steel, they would last several lifetimes. But that’s not going to happen because of the enormous costs involved - and, in all fairness to the intended purposes - they will eventually be widened, rerouted or, for other reasons, put out of service.
    In the mean time, periodic inspections and maintenance is the norm.