Current financial outlay plans for big bridge projects are being scheduled for rehabilitation or replacement as a whole, either in a single year or in a short series of years, without regard to element conditions in localized contiguous settings. This is viewing element condition as an entirety when it may make more sense fiscally to view contiguous simple spans or continuous spans as a series of interactive networks. The AASHTO National Bridge Elements and Bridge Management Elements were developed for standard structures and should be reviewed to see if the elements and their units are appropriate for the management of Big Bridges. Big bridges may include slab on girder bridges of significant length as well as other structures including suspension bridges, cable stay, trusses, movable bridges, arches, or boxes. The ability to predict accelerated deterioration and apply it to a span-by-span preservation/replacement matrix could optimize deck life and capital outlay planning.

Develop a methodology to utilize Element Level Inspection and AASHTOWare Bridge Management (formerly Pontis) in the management of big bridges in order to make cost effective preservation decisions.

Review national literature for state of the art and state of the practice in large bridge management and the use of AASHTOWare Bridge Management. Review and evaluation ongoing and recently completed research in this topic area. Researcher is to develop a methodology for the management of big bridges using Element Level inspection data and AASHTOWare Bridge Management. The initial frame of reference shall be the National Bridge Elements. Possible methods could include user defined elements of developing a network of structures within AASHTOWare Bridge Management to create the total structure. Consideration should be given to account for data sets from advanced inspection techniques that might be used on big bridges such as Infrared Thermography or Ground Penetrating Radar. Survey states to ID bridge types/size/characteristics that merit refined bridge management elements/data and recommend user defined bridge management elements for use in the developed methodology. Write report of research and recommended components for a big bridge Element Level Inspection Manual.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking a minimum of four (4) partner states to commit funds in the amount of $35,000 per year for 2 years. The total funding amount per partner is $70,000. MDOT will be the lead agency. MDOT will commit $70,000 for research activities and an additional $25,000 for project management and field costs.