Rehabilitation of Steel Truss Bridges in Ontario

Abstract

The paper deals with the rehabilitation of truss bridges, that often involves strengthening as well. The key question, whether to rehabilitate or replace a bridge is complex.

The engineer must have a good knowledge of the condition of the bridge, the actual load capacity and reliable cost estimates for rehabilitation. Increasingly present value based on life-cycle costing is used in the decision making. Alternative methods of strengthening and the decision-process followed in Ontario is illustrated through case-histories.