A failure assessment method of stay cables containing fractured wires is presented through an example of an existing bridge. The wires constituting the stay cables of the bridge contained many initial defects that were formed during the rolling process of these wires. Despite moderate loading, fatigue cracks started to grow from these defects, increasing their size, and finally resulting in fra...

A destruction test based on the bridge safety appraisal is one way to verify the failure law of an actual bridge. In this paper, a stone arch bridge in a 1:10 scale model and with a span of 60 m (namely, an arch bar of the same length as the object of test) has been tested, methods of its whole test and loading process introduced, and ultimate bearing capacity, deflection and development rules ...

An investigation into the mechanisms of failure of current Björk-Shiley cardiac valve prostheses is reported. Two failed valves, one apparently unfailed but defective valve, and one unused valve, were examined by scanning electron microscopy and metallographic section. In the first two valves (removed 12 and 23 months after implantation) fracture was associated with the welds joining the short ...

Latex modified concrete (LMC) is used for a bridge deck pavement method that was introduced in Korea in the 2000s, and it is currently the concrete pavement method being used for most highway bridges. It has been recommended that mixing with latex approximately 15% in terms of polymer-cement ratio (P/C ratio) by weight showed no occurrence of cracks with sufficient tensile strength and bond str...

As part of an effective bridge management system, sensor networks can provide data to support both inspection and assessment. Wireless sensor networks WSNs have the potential to offer significant advantages over traditional wired monitoring systems in terms of sensor, cabling, and installation costs as well as expandability. However, there are drawbacks with WSNs relating to power, data bandwid...

Durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is affected by certain environmental conditions and operational actions which can reduce their lifetime significantly. Among these actions, this paper proposes a stochastic model that accounts for the combined effects of chloride-induced corrosion, climate change and cyclic loading. Separately, corrosion leads to cross-section reduction, climate...

To investigate the maintenance effect of diaphragm-to-rib fatigue cracks via steel plate reinforcement, finite element models different-shaped plates were established. Stress intensity factors at crack tip before and after reinforcement obtained, variations in stresses studied. Polygonal reinforcements then carried out on a real bridge based calculation results. The changes stress amplitudes da...

Concrete cylinder piles produced by a centrifugally cast, vibrated, roller-compacted process have shown promising corrosion resistance in marine environments. Three bridges in the Florida panhandle with ~40 years in aggressive marine service and one newly constructed marine bridge utilizing concrete cylinder piles were examined. Examination of the older marine bridges showed minimal corrosion d...