A Systematic Approach to Future Maintenance

Abstract

lf bridge management is the art of ensuring a good connection between two opposite sides, the technical aspects are just a small (but essential) part. One of these technical aspects is the prediction of the future behaviour of the structure in the light of ageing mechanisms, and a second related aspect is how to react to this in the form ofpreventive or corrective maintenance measures. This paper deals with models which take into account the ageing of the structure, the possible consequences offailure and the maintenance required to return the bridge hack to an acceptahle condition.