Bridges

Bridge asset management is an important task to maintain the safety of our transportation network. The key activities of management of bridge assets include bridge inspection, analysis, assessment, bridge rehabilitation, and structural monitoring. The bridge analysis and assessment are proactive actions to evaluate the ability of the bridges to cope with heavy vehicle loadings on the networks. Currently oversize and over mass vehicles operate on our aging bridge networks with their mass much heavier than of original design vehicles. Therefore, our bridges will be at risk of failure if we do not check for load carrying capacity. A single bridge can be analysed easily using existing computer software. However, when assessing bridge networks for multiple heavy vehicle loadings, it will be difficult and high risk if a simple approach is used. The Bridge Network Analysis Package is a new computer program that can undertake structural analysis for bridge networks using the Finite Element Method. The package includes (1) Line load analysis, (2) 2D-frame analysis module for box culverts, and (3) 2-D grillage model module. The program can undertake structural analysis for all types of bridge structures including single span, multiple spans, continuous bridge, bridges with drop in span, cantilever bridge, single and multiple cell box culvert structures. In addition, the 2-D grillage module can be used for undertaking detailed bridge analysis; this program can undertake structural analysis for all types of bridge superstructures including concrete, steel, composite and timber. The program can help bridge authorities to rapidly undertake structural analysis, screening, assessment and reissuing of heavy load permits easily, efficiently and economically.