DURABILITY AND REPAIR OF BRIDGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The need for higher performance concrete which is more durable and stronger requires greater quality control and enhancement of bond between concrete constituents and reinforcing steel. Also there is a need for better corrosion protection of steel with enhanced details and welding quality. In many parts of the third world there are important factors such as unskilled workmanship, deleterious substances, funds and speed of construction that influences the durability of structures and bridges to a great extend. There is also the need to educate the industry and society to the importance of quality control and to realize that the additional cost and effort spent on quality is a greater saving in the long run. In the assessment of bridge some of the parameters that need to be looked into would be: strength and uniformity of the concrete, the corrosion of reinforced steel due to penetration of chlorides and carbonates, condition of reinforcing steel and cracks. This is truer for bridge elements such as beams and girders, foundation and abutments, bearings and bracings. The utilization of non-destructive tests in the assessment of in-situ strength and damage of bridge elements is becoming a major technology in the repair and assessment of the magnitude of its damage. This paper will discuss briefly the development of various types of bridges, their components, the materials of which they are constructed. It will elaborate on the inspector's qualification, duties and equipment. It will describe maintenance issues, safety matters and site organization issues. It will elaborate on non-destructive testing methods and presents some case studies in the Middle East region.

• INTRODUCTION

• DURABILITY ISSUES IN UAE

• CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STRUCTURES IN THE REGION

• NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING AND EVALUATION OF STRUCTURES

• A CASE STUDY

• FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

• REFERENCES