Structural Rehabilitation of Bridges

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) to the assessment and rehabilitation of existing bridge structures in as‑is condition
• Evaluate bridge capacity, material condition, and structural deficiencies using inspection data and testing results
• Select and justify appropriate rehabilitation and strengthening strategies for concrete, steel, and composite bridge superstructures
• Design and assess rehabilitation solutions using fiber‑reinforced polymer (FRP) systems and other modern materials
• Develop practical, code‑aligned rehabilitation approaches that improve durability, safety, and service life

Description

Existing bridges are increasingly required to remain in service beyond their original design life while accommodating higher traffic demands and continued exposure to environmental deterioration. Evaluating their structural condition and selecting appropriate rehabilitation strategies requires practical application of engineering principles, current design codes, inspection findings, testing results, and sound professional judgment to accurately assess performance and identify effective solutions.

This course provides a practical approach to the assessment and rehabilitation of existing bridge structures. You will examine common deterioration mechanisms in concrete, steel, and composite bridges, interpret inspection and testing data, and apply CHBDC provisions to evaluate as-is performance, determine load capacity, and develop rehabilitation strategies for a wide range of structural conditions.

Through practical examples and Canadian case studies, you will learn how to select, design, and implement rehabilitation and strengthening solutions, including FRP systems, accelerated bridge replacement techniques, and conventional repair methods. Emphasis is placed on practical engineering decisions that improve structural performance while balancing safety, constructability, durability, cost, and service disruption.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Bridge and structural engineers involved in the assessment, evaluation, and rehabilitation of existing bridges
• Engineers and engineering technologists responsible for applying CHBDC to in‑service structures
• Inspectors and technical professionals interpreting inspection, testing, and condition assessment data
• Consulting engineers, project managers, and owners responsible for rehabilitation planning and decision‑making
• Contractors, fabricators, and materials professionals supporting bridge repair and strengthening projects
• Public‑sector and regulatory staff involved in oversight of bridge condition and safety

Bridge Condition Assessment

• Factors leading to bridge deterioration.
• Visual inspection: steel and concrete.
• Non-destructive testing methods.
• Destructive testing methods.

Typical Damage to Bridge Structures

• Typical damage in steel and composite concrete-steel bridge superstructure.
• Typical damage in the concrete bridge superstructure.
• Typical damage in bridge piers and abutments.

CHBDC Assessment and Evaluation Techniques

• Need for evaluation.
• Live Load capacity method for bridge evaluation.
• Material strengths for as-per-condition inspection.
• Equivalent material strengths from tests of samples or the date of bridge construction.
• Permanent loads and transitory loads for bridge evaluation.
• Mean Load method.
• Bridge testing.
• Case studies.

Rehabilitation of Concrete and Steel Bridges using Fiber-reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites

• FRP Composites for Bridge Infrastructure Rehabilitation: FRP composites, physical and mechanical properties, installation of FRP strengthening systems.
• Strengthening of concrete bridge columns using FRP wrapping.
• Strengthening concrete slabs and girders for flexure and shear using externally-bonded FRP sheets and FRP anchorage.
• Strengthening concrete slabs and girders for flexure using near-surface mounted reinforcement (NSMR).
• Strengthening steel girder using externally-bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets.
• Numerical examples and examples of applications in Canada’s bridges.

Accelerated Bridge Replacement to Limit Traffic Disruption

• Deteriorated bridge barrier and sidewalk repair and replacement.
• Prefabricated bridge elements for substructure replacement (piers, abutment, and retaining walls).
• Superstructure replacement with new bulb-tee, double-tee, and box beams: closure strips using steel bars, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, and ultra-high-performance concrete for durability and strength.
• Full-depth, full-width deck panels for deteriorated deck slab replacement.
• Bridge rapid replacement with self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT).
• Stainless steel girders for sustainable bridge construction.
• Examples of applications in Canada’s bridges.

Mitigation Strategies Water Leakage at Construction Joints

• Semi-integral abutment and approach slab.
• Link slabs: analysis, design, details, Link slab under barrier walls.

Rehabilitation of Steel and Composite Concrete-Steel Bridge Superstructures

• Classification of repair techniques and materials.
• Repair of deformed structural members: traditional straightening and heat strengthening Techniques.
• Mitigation strategies for fatigue crack propagation in steel girders.
• Strengthening of the superstructure by section enlargement, installation of additional members, external post-tensioning, change of the structural system, and replacement of structural members.
• Examples and case studies.

Rehabilitation of Concrete Bridges

• Standard concrete bridge repair techniques.
• Surface repair.
• Crack repair.
• Basic methods applied to the repair of concrete material losses (slabs, abutments, piers, foundation).
• Strengthening of superstructure: enlargement of cross-sections, redistribution of internal forces, installation of additional members, prestressing, external plating, and change in the structural system.
• Examples and case studies.