Academic Journal

A global framework for data-informed bridge examination.

Bibliographic Details
Title: A global framework for data-informed bridge examination.
Authors: Bertola, Numa, Schiltz, Philippe, Brühwiler, Eugen
Source: Structure & Infrastructure Engineering: Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle Design & Performance; Mar2026, Vol. 22 Issue 3, p470-489, 20p
Subject Terms: Bridge inspection, Structural reliability, Concrete bridges, Deterioration of materials, Structural health monitoring, Structural frames, Nondestructive testing, Decision making
Abstract: Examining the performance of an existing bridge requires information on several aspects, such as design choices, material properties, and ongoing degradation processes. It often happens that some critical information is not available. The traditional approach in structural engineering is to take the most conservative assumption for each unknown, following new-design principles. It will often be concluded that structural safety is not ensured and that the bridge must be strengthened or replaced. This conclusion has important economic costs, impacts on users, and environmental burden associated. In this paper, a global data-informed framework is proposed to examine structural safety of existing bridges accurately. Multiple state-of-the-art methodologies are unified to provide a comprehensive framework for bridge examination. Observations, which can include visual inspection, non-destructive testing, and structural sensing, enable the development of more realistic models of structural behaviour. A case study of a reinforced-concrete bridge in Switzerland illustrates the potential of the novel framework. Although almost no information was initially available on the bridge, the monitoring results show that it can be rationally concluded that the bridge is safe. This framework supports engineers in examining existing structures when crucial information is missing based on observations and engineering judgment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Structure & Infrastructure Engineering: Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle Design & Performance is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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DbLabel: Complementary Index
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: A global framework for data-informed bridge examination.
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  Data: Structure & Infrastructure Engineering: Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle Design & Performance; Mar2026, Vol. 22 Issue 3, p470-489, 20p
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bridge+inspection%22">Bridge inspection</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+reliability%22">Structural reliability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Concrete+bridges%22">Concrete bridges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Deterioration+of+materials%22">Deterioration of materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+health+monitoring%22">Structural health monitoring</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Structural+frames%22">Structural frames</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nondestructive+testing%22">Nondestructive testing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Decision+making%22">Decision making</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Examining the performance of an existing bridge requires information on several aspects, such as design choices, material properties, and ongoing degradation processes. It often happens that some critical information is not available. The traditional approach in structural engineering is to take the most conservative assumption for each unknown, following new-design principles. It will often be concluded that structural safety is not ensured and that the bridge must be strengthened or replaced. This conclusion has important economic costs, impacts on users, and environmental burden associated. In this paper, a global data-informed framework is proposed to examine structural safety of existing bridges accurately. Multiple state-of-the-art methodologies are unified to provide a comprehensive framework for bridge examination. Observations, which can include visual inspection, non-destructive testing, and structural sensing, enable the development of more realistic models of structural behaviour. A case study of a reinforced-concrete bridge in Switzerland illustrates the potential of the novel framework. Although almost no information was initially available on the bridge, the monitoring results show that it can be rationally concluded that the bridge is safe. This framework supports engineers in examining existing structures when crucial information is missing based on observations and engineering judgment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: Abstract
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Structure & Infrastructure Engineering: Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle Design & Performance is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/15732479.2024.2337088
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 20
        StartPage: 470
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Bridge inspection
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural reliability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Concrete bridges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Deterioration of materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural health monitoring
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Structural frames
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nondestructive testing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Decision making
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A global framework for data-informed bridge examination.
        Type: main
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            NameFull: Bertola, Numa
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          Name:
            NameFull: Schiltz, Philippe
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Brühwiler, Eugen
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 03
              Text: Mar2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 22
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              Value: 3
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Structure & Infrastructure Engineering: Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle Design & Performance
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