ABSTRACT
Assessment of existing reinforced concrete arch bridges, as a part of their efficient and effective maintenance strategy, comprises assessing bridge serviceability, its capacity for traffic, seismic performance and performance due to wind load.
To define a correct structural model of the existing structure and to perform adequate structural analysis, it is crucial to capture all the indicators that affect certain structural performance.
Although the interaction of various indicators that affect certain structural performance is inevitable, they need to be segregated in order to more easily identify methods for their quantification.
In this paper, following research on existing arch bridges in Croatia, performance indicators for assessment of arch bridges are systematized, their interaction is elaborated and the critical locations at the typical arch bridge are established.
Structural indicators may be listed as geometry, details, material properties, structural integrity and dynamic parameters.
Environmental indicators include exposure parameters, local traffic, seismic activity, terrain category and wind influence. The most dangerous exposure parameters are sea-water splashing and tides on the coast and deicing agents in continental areas.
Economic parameters will comprise founding for different inspections methods for establishing desired knowledge level of existing structure and costs of different retrofit measures that may be offered within the remaining life time of the structure based on the bridge assessment results.
Interaction of environmental indicators and structural ones is obvious. Structural parameters such are cross-section dimensions or effective reinforcement might be changed due to deterioration processes from combined exposure to the sea and wind or on the other hand because of applied repair activities. This may result in reducing or improving a certain structural performance ability.
Economic parameters will depend on the proper maintenance program offered and adequate activities performed previously at the existing bridge. Underestimation of maintenance role in the past, will cause deficiencies and deterioration and will require technically demanding, very difficult to perform and expensive repair works.
Additionally higher knowledge level for a bridge of critical importance will require more extensive inspection works and comprehensive bridge monitoring which are economic indicators.
Due to limited budget, very often the engineer will need to assess the bridge condition based on a limited data collection. Therefore, it is of a great importance to establish appropriate collection of data including location (critical cross sections and critical point in each cross section) and extension of inspection, testing or monitoring methods. Additionally the most critical structural cross sections are the ones evaluated as damaged in the visual inspection. Steps and links of the research activity plan. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315207681/cd556cd4-4dcf-4efe-8e29-56fc67b8bfbd/content/fig126_1.tif"/>
