ABSTRACT
Since the first reinforced concrete bridge was constructed in the UK in 1902, a further 50000 bridges have now been constructed in either reinforced or prestressed concrete. Like all concrete structures, concrete bridges give excellent durability when designed, constructed and maintained correctly, justifying the design life of 120 years for such a structure. However, as the basic design principles of both reinforced/ prestressed concrete and construction were refined, more elegant and complex bridge structures were built with subsequent enhanced aesthetics and economy. Unfortunately, this also led to serviceability problems with some bridges and brought into question the durability of concrete, which is relatively cheap and still the most widely used construction material in the world.
