Analysis of the Brazilian Federal Bridge Inventory

  • Caroline Buratto de Lima e Oliveira Federal Brazilian Department of Transports Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG
  • Marcelo Greco Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG
  • Tulio Nogueira Bittencourt São Paulo University

Abstract

Bridge Management has been extensively investigated and extended by researchers and engineers around the world. The main goal is to provide an appropriate support to decision-making regarding risk identification, required maintenance, strengthening, rehabilitation or element replacement under the constraint of limited budgets. To achieve this objective, the Federal Brazilian Department of Transportation (DNIT) has promoted the most comprehensive road bridge inventory under its direct administration. The present article analyzes and presents the inventory findings with the intention of disseminating the information necessary to provide input data for research projects in the areas of degradation, inspection and maintenance of bridges. The main construction characteristics of the Brazilian road bridges, the condition state of these structures as well as the type and frequency of damages detected are related. A specific analysis comparing the results for different inspectors is presented to try to identify some bias. The appropriate consideration of these biases is an important issue to be addressed in the future in order to have a more balanced and equilibrated evaluation of the condition of these bridges.

Author Biographies

Caroline Buratto de Lima e Oliveira, Federal Brazilian Department of Transports Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG
Department of Infrastructure Maintenance
Marcelo Greco, Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG
Department of Structural Engineering
Tulio Nogueira Bittencourt, São Paulo University
Department of Structural Engineering
Published
2019-02-05
Section
Artigos