Programme for Bridge Health Monitoring for Public Works Department

Abstract

Bridges are important part of infrastructure system for country. The increase in traffic and vehicle axle load, bridges are deteriorating very fast. Thus monitoring and maintenance has become prime importance for government organizations in this field like Public Works Department (PWD). The Indian Road Congress (IRC) codes provide various tests and inspection methodologies for bridge monitoring. However, there is an absence of a defined program for various groups of engineers in the organization for bridge health monitoring. This paper aims to provide the program for bridge health monitoring for bridges suitable in India for PWD engineers. For this research literature review is carried out on two fronts. Firstly the various tests required for bridge health monitoring are identified. Secondly, the various government department’s rules and regulations are searched in this regard. From literature review the proposed program for bridge monitoring and inspection is developed. This program is validated through expert interviews. The proposed program for bridge monitoring will be helpful to various groups of PWD engineers to define their role in bridge monitoring as well as to take wise decisions for maintenance.

Keywords: Bridge Health Monitoring, Bridge Inspection, Public Works Department, PWD