ABSTRACT
Current Brazilian standards related to bridge inspection and performance evaluation are based on the individual assessment of elements, this kind of evaluation, in the most part of the cases, does not represent the real state of the bridge. In order to reduce the subjectivity and introduce the basis of a Bridge Management System in Brazil, a methodology based on a deterministic procedure is proposed aiming to create a list of priority bridges towards a future program of maintenance. The procedure has been validated through the application in 536 bridges located in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. The application of the proposed model showed good results, allowing to obtain a ranking according to the bridge structural and operational conditions, representing a useful tool to establish cost-effective maintenance programs.
