Field Survey of Defects in RC Bridges

Egypt has a large road network on which more than 3,000 bridges are in service. To provide for safe and functional bridges, periodic inspection and assessment of bridge condition is essential. This paper presents the results of a part of on-going research project in which seven RC bridges in Egypt were visually inspected in 2019 and 2020. The inspection results are used to survey the types and quantities of defects that are common in different elements of RC bridges. The defects that were surveyed in the current investigation include spalling of concrete with and without exposed rebar; wear and pothole in wearing surface; distortion and connection in metal railing; crack, delamination and spalling in median barrier; and wear, spalling and settlement in curbs and sidewalks. The inspection results are further used to determine the densities of these defects in the main elements of RC bridges. Discussion is also made on the evolution of defects with aging of bridges.