Element-Level Performance Measures for Bridge Preservation

Measures of performance of highway bridges with element-level data are proposed. Element-level measures focus on the preservation of deck, superstructure, and substructure elements. Element-level measures recognize relationships between bridge elements. Bridge elements (e.g., joints, wearing surfaces, coatings) affect the exposure of deck, superstructure, and substructure. Poor conditions of these elements put decks, superstructures, and substructures at risk. Risk also is increased when actions for preservation are delayed or limited. Three levels of performance were measured: good, at risk, and poor. Bridges that perform well were candidates for bridge preservation programs. Bridges at risk were candidates that needed prompt attention to preserve their current condition. Bridges that performed poorly required rehabilitation or replacement. Risk from exposure and risk from delayed preservation were recognized in element-level performance measures. The following are presented in this study: (a) examples of element-level performance measures for a population of state-owned bridges, (b) comparisons with present-day performance measures of bridges, and (c) extended use of element-level performance measures to estimate annual work quantities and funding for preservation.