CHAPTER LIST

Section Overview

we conclude the text with a discussion of the implementation and management of a bridge in a transportation network. Specifically, this section touches on some of the more general themes and issues behind key bridge related highway concerns, the preparation of final contract documents, and the development and implementation of computer assisted Bridge Management Systems.

OVERVIEW

Abridge is not a discrete component which is designed, built, and then forgotten about. At the onset of the text, it was stated that "the common highway bridge structure is one of the most integral components in any transportation network." It is fitting that we end the text with this same thought in mind, for it is the downfall of many design engineers to view their work in discrete terms. As we have seen in the preceding sections, the ideas of design, rehabilitation, and maintenance are closely interwoven to form a cohesive fabric. Rather than being independent topics, these issues impact one another and, in many ways, influence the performance of a highway bridge throughout its life. In this section, we will touch on some important issues concerning the final implementation and eventual management of highway bridges.

Figure 5.1: Whether a bridge is large or small, it is still just one component in a highway network

These implementation and management issues specifically concern the incorporation of a bridge into the highway itself. Another topic discussed is the preparation of final contract documents which act...