Development of Knowledge Base of Concrete Bridge Maintenance System

Author

Bahre Karam

Date of Award

6-2007

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Civil and Construction Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Sherif A. Yehia

Second Advisor

Dr. Osama Abudayyeh

Third Advisor

Dr. Ahmad Jrade

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Bridges are the key elements of any transportation system of a country. Bridges are expensive structures and therefore, it's essential to maintain and repair them on regular basis. Almost one third of the bridges in United States are reported to be in some what deteriorated conditions. This Research presents the development of knowledge base for decision support system for concrete bridges.

During this research various concrete bridge problems are investigated including COlTosion, delamination, cracks, spalling and scour etc. The inspection tools and techniques are addressed in order to identify these problems both for above and below water surface. The various repair materials and methods in order to overcome theses problems in concrete bridges are identified from literature. Numbers of repair activities involve are studied along with replacement options.

At the end flow charts were developed for the proposed decision support system for concrete bridge maintenance and rules are established by using EXSYS Professional Shell, to assist the bridge engineer in decision making about the repairs of concrete bridge beams.

Recommended Citation

Karam, Bahre, "Development of Knowledge Base of Concrete Bridge Maintenance System" (2007). Masters Theses. 708.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/708