BRIDGE STRUCTURE: CHALLENGES WAY FORWARD

摘要

The road network is, most important system in the transportation infrastructure of a nation. It helps to sustain commerce in almost every sector of the national economy and is used for both pleasure and necessity by almost every citizen. Maintaining this system at a high-performance level is vital for public safety, societal well-being and economic productivity and growth. Bridges comprise significant and critical discrete links in the road transportation system. Clearly, the job of managing and maintaining the bridges represents a significant challenge. The roads, highways, bridges are lifelines which need to be kept in healthy conditions Bridge structure and its components are being planned, designed, constructed and maintained in such a way that they could perform adequately and safely during construction and service life. The design and construction of road bridges require an extensive and through knowledge of the science and technique involved and necessarily be entrusted only to specially qualified engineers with adequate practical experience in bridge engineering and capable of ensuring careful execution of work. However, during expected service life of a bridge, natural or manmade extreme hazardous condition may arise. However, in high seismic zone & hilly areas, most of the damage to highways & bridge structures are due to landslides and earthquakes. The earthquakes can damage bridges, tunnels, pavements, and other components of highway infrastructure.