INSTITUTE UIE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

ME (Structures)
Design and Construction Bridge Structures
(20CEA659)

Topic:
Instructor:
Bridge Maintenance DR. MOHIT BHANDARI
 Introduction
• Bridge deck maintenance management system is an essential component to ensure long term conservation of bridge

deck to serve its intended purpose involving several vital functions like periodic inspection, repairs and rehabilitation.

• The maintenance of bridge means the up-keeping of the bridge components in good and serviceable condition so as to

ensure a longer life of the bridge as envisaged at the time of its design and construction.

• Even if the bridges are well designed and properly constructed, periodic maintenance, if needed, is very essential to

keep them in good serviceable condition.

• Good maintenance practice requires periodical surveillance, identification of local damage, deterioration and loss of

durability of the deck due to environ-mental and other load effects.

• Maintaining highway bridge decks and keeping them in a sound and fit condition ensuring safe and uninterrupted

traffic flow, is the primary function of a bridge maintenance engineer.

 Introduction
• The primary objective of bridge maintenance is to ensure the integrity of the structure during its intended life span so

that it functions without any disruptions.

• Effective maintenance system requires periodical inspection of bridges to locate any signs of distress in the early

stages which can be repaired with minimum costs.

• Approaches, • Expansion Joints,

• Protective Works, • Wearing Coat,
• Foundation, • Drainage Spouts,
• Piers, abutments and wing walls, • Hand Rails,
• Bearings, • Foot Paths,
• Superstructure • Utility Services.
 Categories of Bridge Inspection

1. Routine Inspection:

• These are general inspections undertaken frequently by bridge maintenance engineers possessing practical knowledge

of high way structures.

• This type of inspection does not need any expertise in design, detailing and constructional aspects.

• Routine inspection is necessary to identify minor deficiencies which could lead to accidents or maintenance problems

at a future date.

• This type of inspections are normally undertaken at monthly or bimonthly intervals.

 Categories of Bridge Inspection

1. Routine Inspection:

(i) For concrete structures-protection against exposed reinforcement and repairs to cracks.

(ii) Maintenance of bearings and expansion joints.

(iii) Maintenance of wearing coat.

(iv) Maintenance of kerbs, railing etc.

(v) Maintenance of weep holes & drainage spouts

(vi) Maintenance of protective works.

 Categories of Bridge Inspection
2. Detailed Inspection:
This type is further categorized under General and Major groups depending upon the frequency and intensity of inspection
respectively conducted at 2 to 3 year intervals.

(a) General Inspection: The general type of inspection is planned annually covering all the structural components of the
bridge. The procedure includes visual inspection assisted by standard instrumental aids and invariably followed by a
detailed written report.

(b) Major Inspection: Major inspection is comprehensive involving detailed examination of all structural components. The
procedure involves installation of access facilities like inspection platforms to examine the soffits of deck slab and
girders, articulation locations and bearings at supports. Depending upon the importance of the structure, this type of
inspection is conducted at 2 to 3 year intervals or may be at smaller intervals for important bridges specially exposed to
aggressive environmental conditions (e.g. Bridges located in coastal areas, marine locations and abnormal wind zones).
 Categories of Bridge Inspection
2. Detailed Inspection:

 Major repair to piers, abutments, wing walls.

 Major repairs to guide bunds and bridge protection works.

 Major repairs to the superstructure such as wearing course, railing, footpath slab, deck slab, girders etc.

 Replacement of the bearings by lifting the superstructure.

 Repairs to the articulation by lifting the suspended span.

 For steel bridges, replacement of cross-girders and decking’s, riveting etc.

 Categories of Bridge Inspection
3. Special Inspection:

• Special inspections are necessary in extraordinary situations such as earthquakes, high intensity/abnormal loadings,

floods etc.

• These inspections are exhaustive comprising testing of structural elements (e.g. Non destructive testing using ultrasonic

pulse velocity techniques to detect internal micro cracks and excessive deflections using dial gauges etc).

• The results of tests are examined in the light of structural analysis and codified specifications.

• Experienced engineers are entrusted with this type of inspections.

 Inspection/NDT Instruments
1. Electronic strain gauges for measurement of strains in concrete and steel
2. Ultrasonic pulse velocity apparatus for detection of cracks in concrete
3. Rebound hammer (Schmidt hammer) for in-situ measurement of compressive strength or grade of concrete
4. Snooper-crawler and adjustable ladders
5. Magnetic detector for measuring thickness of concrete cover and for locating reinforcement bars
6. Vibration measuring equipment
7. Hydraulic jacks, pressure transducers or load cells for measurement of forces
8. Electrical resistance meter (for rust pockets)
9. Pachometer to determine thickness of concrete reinforcement.
10. Optical microscope with light source to measure the width of cracks on the surface of concrete
11. Mechanical extensometer or Demec Gauge with stainless steel targets for measuring surface strains on concrete
under loads
12. Dial gauges for measurement of deflections at soffits of deck slab and beams when the bridge is loaded.
 GENERAL ASPECTS OF REPAIRS AND
REHABILITATION OF BRIDGE DECKS

Detailed inspection reports specify the nature and magnitude of distress or damage to the bridge deck. The reports are

first analyzed in the light of previous history of the bridge before deciding upon the type of repair and rehabilitation

which depends upon the degree of damage suffered by the bridge structure. Generally the degree of damage is classified

under the following three major groups:

 Minor Damage

 Moderate Damage

 Severe Damage
 MINOR DAMAGE TO BRIDGE
Minor Damage:

• Surface cracks developed on the bridge deck due to shrinkage of concrete as a consequence of temperature changes and

minor spalling of concrete at edges of structural concrete elements are grouped under this category.

• The cracked surface is repaired by superficial patching by using epoxy grout using shotcrete applied by a pneumatic gun.
 MODERATE DAMAGE TO BRIDGE
Moderate Damage:

• Extensive spalling and cracking of concrete due to multifarious reasons in a bridge deck can be grouped under moderate

damage.

• In such cases repairs and rehabilitation is done by removing the unsound or loose concrete by providing temporary

supports to the girder to relieve dead load stresses.

• Expansion bolts or grout rebars are drilled into the sound concrete from the soffit and wire mesh is placed to the sides

and welded to the existing bars.

• Gunite or shotcrete is applied under pressure to restore the girder to its predamaged condition. In the case of webs of

prestressed concrete girders damaged by shear cracks near supports due to improper detailing or compaction of

concrete, holes are drilled diagonally and rebars are placed and grouted to arrest the shear cracks.
MODERATE DAMAGE TO BRIDGE

Repair of Damage Spalled Concrete

 MODERATE DAMAGE TO BRIDGE

Repairs of Shear Cracks by Stitching Rods and Epoxy Grouting.

 SEVERE DAMAGE TO BRIDGE

Severe Damage:

• Bridge decks damaged severely require a detailed structural analysis and a design check based on the conditions of

damage and the best engineering assumptions and judgement.

• A comprehensive review of design calculations and detailed examination of the damage will help in selecting a cost

effective and appropriate restoration technique for the damaged structural elements of the bridge.
 SEVERE DAMAGE TO BRIDGE

Repairs of Beam with Shear Cracks by Jacketing Stirrups.