ABSTRACT
Due to the nature of the loads and the environmental conditions to which bridges are exposed, these structures can be subject to rapid aging and deterioration. As a result, various pathological manifestations caused by chemical, physical, biological or mechanical agents may appear and develop. Thus, bridges require an effective monitoring and preventive maintenance program. Some types of materials, repairs and methodologies were discussed to evaluate the efficiency and control the quality of commonly used repair techniques, proposing an approach based on a database of inspected Brazilian bridges and their maintenance plans provided by the Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura e Transportes (DNIT). The most recurrent damage in reinforced concrete bridges were mapped and the most common repair interventions were identified. Finally, inspections were suggested to assist with quality control, acceptance and reliability of the repair, to ensure that the selected materials and techniques are suitable for each specific type of damage.
