engleski

SERVICE LIFE OF CONCRETE BRIDGES

Society's largest and most long-term investments are made in its infrastructure particularly roads, bridges and railway. Attention should therefore be drawn not only to initial construction costs but also to the growing future maintenance costs. Vast construction of new structures with short construction time and poor works quality, leads to immense growth in maintenance costs and premature repair of structures. The operation, maintenance and repair of concrete structures are consuming much energy and recourses and when deteriorate they represent a heavy environmental burden and large quantities of waste. Today there are no difficulties in ensuring durable concrete no matter of environment aggressiveness. It is ensuring a durable and reliable concrete structure that represents a challenge. This is valid for both new and existing structures, which must have long service life. Service life of concrete structures can be influenced from very beginning of design, , during its construction and later during exploitation of structure. In Croatia in recent years when large construction projects worth over two billion USD are under way, we must be aware of the fact that maintenance during structures service life will be approximately the same amount. This paper will give a deep perspective of factors influencing the length of service life of concrete structures, both existing and new.

bridges; long-term investments; maintenance cost; durability; reliable structure

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