Railway bridge defects and degradation mechanisms

Abstract

Development of cooperation within European Union stimulates intensive integration between all components of European transportation system. One of the important fields of integration is railway bridge engineering, a part of railway transportation system. Proposed classification of degradation mechanisms against their effects as bridge structure defects can be a basis for the unified assessment of bridge condition. Presented terminology and classifications elaborated in the European research project "Sustainable Bridges" can be useful in condition assessment by bridge inspectors as well as in knowledge-based computer tools supporting evaluation procedures in the advanced Bridge Management Systems. Identified relationships between degradation processes and defects can be used for optimization of bridge infrastructure maintenance and management.