ABSTRACT
Deterioration is one of the key concerns in assessing bridge performance and is necessary to understand how bridges degrade with age for optimal maintenance budget allocation. The rate of deterioration varies across bridge types, with Laos predominantly featuring aging concrete slab bridges, concrete girder bridges, and steel truss bridges. It is imperative to ascertain the deterioration rate of these bridge types for effectively determine maintenance costs. This paper analyzes available inspection data from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), employing linear regression analysis to find the trend of deterioration rates of different types of bridges with time. Focusing on concrete slab, girder, and steel truss bridges in the 18 provinces of Laos, the study forecasts the deterioration rates over bridges’ service life. The results can inform various bridge management tasks, including maintenance planning and asset evaluation, contributing to more effective decision-making for the preservation and safety of Laos’ bridge infrastructure.
