Bridges

All reinforced concrete structures deteriorate over time. Corrosion of reinforcement is a major challenge to the durability of concrete structures. Corrosion in certain environments, such as marine, can compromise the durability of concrete and reduce the service life of the structure even more rapidly due to earlier onset of corrosion and brisk corrosion rates.

The construction industry ambition is to establish high standards for design and construction that could significantly increase the design service life of the assets. Today asset owners, desire their buildings to last for at least a century and bridge structures to as high as 300 years. This ambitious approach requires the engineers to explore beyond the current codes of design life. However, despite the ambitious project specifications and design parameters, concrete assets are always subjected to number of durability risks that, if remain unattended or addressed superficially, reduce the life expectancy and durability of structures.

In order to reduce durability risks and failure factors in reinforced concrete bridges, the projects need to be addressed both at macro and micro level with the holistic organizational approach. The lack of organizational leadership approach by engineering firms, could result in durability failure of the concrete structure causing cessation of function or extensive disruption and extortionately high costs during concrete remedial work.

This paper presents literature review underpinning examples to understand durability risks along with an integrated repair approach to extend the life of reinforced concrete bridge structures.