Analysis of Important Methods for Bridge Inspection and Maintenance

Abstract

Bridges are considered an essential part of modern transportation systems and play a vital role in the economic growth and cultural exchange of the two regions they connect. However, loads from typhoons, overexposure to rain, sun or seawater, increased transportation loads, and even periodic deterioration of steel reinforcement can have serious negative effects on bridges. Inadequate preventive measures may lead to structural failure, which can result in injury, death and property damage. The awareness of the importance of bridge maintenance and preventive measures has now slightly increased, while many unhelpful, less than scientific and accurate questions have been raised. Therefore, this article concludes the factors that may lead to bridge damage, the significance of bridge maintenance, and five promising maintenance or construction approaches. The goal of better, safer, and more efficient design by engineers or workers through the above techniques and methods will hopefully be achieved. From the first two studies, it can be seen that if the newly introduced methods are scientifically proven, they may be more suitable to be adopted. This paper also analyzes and discusses three concepts that are extremely important for a probability estimation or a maintenance project construction.