INTRODUCTION, TERMINOLOGY AND GENERAL SCOPE

There are two main tasks for contemporary bridge engineering, namely to construct new bridge structures according to the development of transportation needs and to maintain the existing bridge stock according to current and predicted traffic and safety requirements. This book is entirely devoted to the latter.

Denotation of the term maintenance is usually limited to the current works performed systematically by maintenance services to ensure normal and safe utilization of bridge structures. These works consist mainly of inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement, if necessary, of expansion joints, bridge deck, drainage system, railings, balustrades and barriers, pavement, bridge bearings, etc., as well as anti-corrosive protection of some elements, mostly by painting. However, the maintenance of existing bridges according to the determined technical and economical requirements demands, in many cases, some other essential actions being performed prior to the current maintenance itself. Therefore, the term maintenance may also be considered, more widely, as a multi-component process leading to the fulfillment of all conditions related to the safe utilization of existing bridges in the anticipated period of their future service…