Inspection, Evaluation and Maintenance of Suspension Bridges

Guidance on Protecting and Extending the Life of Suspension Bridges

Suspension bridges are graceful, aesthetic, and iconic structures. Due to their attractiveness and visibility, they are well-known symbols of major cities and countries in the world. They are also an essential form of transportation infrastructure built across large bodies of water. Despite being expensive to build, they are economical structures for the lengths they span. They have evolved significantly from the basic concept dating back to 200 BC China through the first design for a bridge resembling a modern suspension bridge, attributed to Fausto Veranzio in 1595, to present-day span lengths close to two kilometers.

Many of these bridges carry significant traffic and their upkeep is very important to maintain transportation mobility. They offer grace and functionality, yet are extremely complex to construct and maintain. Bridge owners spend a considerable amount of time and resources to ensure uninterrupted service, safety, and security for users. Inspection, evaluation, maintenance, and rehabilitation have evolved significantly. Modern materials and innovative design and construction practices have been integrated into these bridges to maintain durability and extended service life.

Inspection, Evaluation and Maintenance of Suspension Bridges is written by the bridge owners and practitioners who strive to cost-effectively manage these bridges. It is invaluable to everyone interested not only in suspension bridges but in the upkeep of any bridges—students, designers, maintenance personnel, contractors, and owners.

• Describes the evolution and trends in the operation and maintenance of cable supported bridges
• Contains the latest methods for evaluating cable supported bridge capacities and durability
• Presents suspension bridge security risk management aspects and Bayesian network-based methodology for risk evaluation

This volume discusses state-of-the-art practice in suspension bridge inspection, evaluation, and rehabilitation methods used worldwide, described by the personnel directly involved with managing them. Its companion volume presents detailed case studies of specific bridges to give a comprehensive picture of how suspension bridges are maintained around the world.

Dr. Sreenivas Alampalli, P.E., MBA, is director of the Structures Evaluation Services Bureau at the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). His responsibilities include managing structural inspection, inventory, and safety assurance programs. His interests include infrastructure management, innovative materials for infrastructure applications, nondestructive testing, structural health monitoring, and long-term bridge performance. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 publications including two books on infrastructure health in civil engineering. He is the recipient of the Bridge NDT Lifetime Service Award in 2014 from American Society for Nondestructive Testing for outstanding voluntary service to the bridge and highway NDT industry. In 2013, he also received ASCE’s Henry L. Michel Award for Industry Advancement of Research.

Mr. William J. Moreau, P.E., served as the chief engineer of the New York State Bridge Authority for over 27 years. Two of the six Hudson River crossings previously under his care were suspension bridges, constructed circa 1924 and 1930. Maintenance and preservation of these world-class suspension bridges became a career objective for Moreau. He participated for many years as a member of the Transportation Research Board Committee and chairman of the Construction Committee for Bridges and Structures. Moreau has also been a member of AASHTO and ASCE throughout his professional career. He is currently semi-retired and continues consulting.