ABSTRACT
This study presents a detailed comparison of life cycle costs for short-span road bridges constructed with Prestressed Concrete (PSC) girders and steel girders. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implications of using different materials in bridge construction, considering factors such as construction, maintenance, repair, environmental impacts, social costs, user costs, and recycling/dumping costs. A new life cycle cost assessment framework has been developed to incorporate country-specific cost data and facilitate comparisons across various bridge designs and locations. The research compares the life-cycle costs of PSC-girder RC-deck and steel-girder RC-deck bridges. Results indicate that the life cycle costs of steel-girder bridges can be significantly lower than those of prestressed concrete girders, depending on service life and design parameters. This research enhances understanding of the economic, environmental, and social implications of material choices in bridge construction, providing recommendations for optimizing life cycle cost decisions.
