The investigation of methods to assist decision-makers regarding bridge maintenance, rehabilitation, and restoration activities
The ability to predict the deterioration pattern of bridges can assist decision makers in determining when and whether to ignore, refurbish/rehabilitate, or replace a bridge. This dissertation formulates and applies two models, one deterministic and the other probabilistic, capable of predicting future condition ratings of the three main components of a bridge; wearing surface, superstructure, and substructure. The contribution to bridge deterioration by environment factors including freeze-thaw cycles, de-icing salts, and vehicular traffic, are also examined through analysis and comparison of deterioration of selected bridges from two contrasting regions in the Province of Ontario.
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign