Modelling and Predicting Bridge Repair and Maintenance Costs

Abstract

Rational decisions about cost-effective bridge designs, optimum replacement ages and recurrent cost budgets are hampered by the absence of reliable data on which to base forecasts of repair and maintenance costs. Research into simple models for predicting the new-build cost of bridges has led to the development of equally simple models for predicting the costs of repair contracts exceeding ilOk in value. These models, based on the principle of costsign( ficance, contain only 17 or 18 elements yet are accurate to within 10%. Analysis of historical data has allowed us to propose a tentative relationship between the area of a bridge deck and the cost of repairs. The results !end weight to the view that repair and maintenance costs for masonry bridges are less than those for reinforced concrete bridges.