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Inspection of RC half-joint bridges in England: Analysis of current practice

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Lees, Janet M 
Valerio, Pierfrancesco 
Loudon, Neil 
Morley, Chris T 

Abstract

The strategic road network (SRN) in England carries 33% of traffic in England and Highways England's bridge management systems plays a crucial role in the maintenance of infrastructure assets along the SRN. Reinforced concrete half-joint structures are susceptible to deterioration and hard to inspect, hence they require special attention. Inspection data relating to half-joint structures on the SRN was gathered. Within this portfolio, 252 structures with half-joint-related defects were interrogated to classify the most common defects and identify any potential shortcomings in current inspection practice. Clear correlations were shown to exist between defect classes, emphasising the need for quality control and proper workmanship. A revised inspection methodology for half-joint structures that provides more comprehensive information about crack details, and a greater alignment between defect information and indicators of structural measures, is proposed. Concurrently, knowledge of the zonal crack location, crack orientation and crack severity helps inform decision making about the structural condition. There is scope for use of the methodology in conjunction with automated processing procedures to identify half-joint structures with particular defect characteristics and profiles. In this way, asset managers will be better able to allocate resources to structures with an increased risk of failure.

Description

Keywords

concrete structures, corrosion, field testing & monitoring

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1478-4637
1751-7664

Volume Title

Publisher

ICE Publishing
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K016148/1)
EPSRC (EP/K503757/1)
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK) (EPSRC) through the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) Knowledge Transfer Fellowship ‘Impact Acceleration Account – Strategic Roads Network Infrastructure Alliance’.