Civil Engineering Structures According to the Eurocodes

Inspection and Maintenance

Xavier Lauzin

• Publisher: Wiley-ISTE
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781786301864
• eBook ISBN: 9781119437031
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Civil Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

"This standard assumes that the structure, after completion, is used as intended in the project and subject to planned inspection and maintenance to meet the expected project lifetime and to detect any unforeseen weakness or behavior" (EN 13670 §4.1)

An important decision factor in the design of new structures and repairs to existing structures is the lifetime or expected service life.

This concept, which is common for civil engineering works, has been extended to all engineering and building works by applying the European Structural Design Codes.

This book tries to take stock of the inspection methodologies related to each type of civil engineering work, the various pathologies of concrete structures, and gives examples of the writing of reports.

1
Inspection of Structures: Methodologies

Inspection and diagnosis of structures are the most important phases of a maintenance operation and, eventually, of renovation. They require asking oneself a few questions before discussing the planning and recovery solution.

The questions are generally the following:

• – what is the typology of the damage?
• – what could be their cause?
• – what is their scope?
• – what is their probable evolution?
• – what are the consequences for the structure?
• – can the damage be repaired (technically and financially)?

To answer this question, the following methodology is usually applied:

• – the first step involves a detailed visual assessment. This should be carried out by an expert civil engineer. It is similar to a health check without thorough analysis;
• – the second step consists of a diagnosis by auscultation of the structure. This is managed by a civil engineer who relies on a specialized (and possibly multidisciplinary) laboratory.

1.1. Bridges

1.1.1. General information

For bridges, the Centre of Research and Expertise for Risks, Environment and Transport (CEREMA) formalized this principle and set up a methodology for monitoring and diagnosing this type of structure, which is summarized hereafter.

The management of structures is based on:

• – Recording of bridges: this is a preliminary phase that consists of recognizing and recording the various heritage structures. The necessary data are: the type of structure, its exact location, its main dimensional characteristics and its use. The information should be verified in the field in order to take information into account that may not be included in the files;
• – The project file: this is a document that gathers all the features of the structure along with its history. The contents of the file are defined in the Technical Instructions (ITSEOA);
• – Monitoring of structures: this is of siginificant importance for maintaining the heritage and safety of users. It consists of following the evolution of various structures from a reference state (initial detailed inspection (IDI)), which is defined at the end of the construction or in the manag...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Title
• Copyright
• Introduction
• 1 Inspection of Structures: Methodologies
• 2 Concept of Resistance of Materials: Application to Reinforced Concrete
• 3 Pathology of Structures
• 4 Techniques for Repairing Civil Engineering Works
• 5 Inspection and Maintenance of Structures in the United States: Methodologies
• Appendices
• Bibliography
• Index
• End User License Agreement