Sustainability presents a challenge to all who are involved in the development of the built environment in the way that we think about and use the finite supply of energy and natural resources available on our planet. Whilst many bridge engineers will aspire to the ideal of sustainable development the means by which it may be achieved at a practical level are not so immediately apparent. The objective of the paper is to provide a briefing on sustainability with particular regard to the design and construction of concrete bridges and to indicate how bridge engineers can address some of the key sustainability issues that arise. After reviewing the definitions of sustainability and sustainable development, sustainability aspects of concrete bridges are discussed in terms of natural resources, environment, societal issues and economics. Some examples of the assessment of the sustainable performance of concrete bridges are then presented, including examples of practical studies taken from the literature. References for further reading are provided.

  • Introduction

  • Sustainability and Sustainable Development

  • Aspects of the Sustainability of Concrete Bridges

  • Assessing the Sustainability of Concrete Bridges

  • Conclusions

  • References

This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this chapter.
Don't already have an account? Register

Purchased this content as a guest? Enter your email address to restore access.

Please enter valid email address.
Email address must be 94 characters or fewer.