Introduction to Bridges

8.BRIDGE MAINTENANCE, SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION

Objectives
  • understand who has responsibility for bridge maintenance and the process whereby bridge maintenance is initiated and carried out
  • know the unique requirements of bridge maintenance and repair that are of concern while inspecting/supervising the projects
Introduction

The previous lectures have dealt with some of the primary aspects involved with the field of bridge engineering. The primary purpose was to develop an understanding of bridge behaviour so those problems can be identified. Problem identification is merely the first step in the maintenance/repair process. This lecture is intended to provide information on how the other steps are carried out. For those who will find themselves part of the implementation process, sources of information to assist with your work will be provided.

Overhead #2 - Roles and Responsibilities

  • Regional Bridge Manager – overall responsibility for bridge program
  • Region Bridge Technologist - responsible for implementation and supervision of maintenance and construction

Overhead #3 - Roles and Responsibilities

  • Operations Manager – overall responsibility for highway maintenance program
  • Field Support Technologist and Maintenance Contract Inspector – implementation of highway maintenance program

- highway maintenance

- routine bridge maintenance

- emergency bridge work

Overhead #4 - Roles and Responsibilities

  • Highway maintenance Contractor

- highway maintenance

- routine bridge maintenance

- emergency bridge work

  • co-ordinated by MCI and FST

Overhead #5 - Roles and Responsibilities

  • Highway Maintenance Contractor Bridge Division

- bridge expertise

- specialized equipment

  • Minor bridge work
  • co-ordinated by RBT
  • Maximum of $50,000 on written quote basis (not open tender)

Overhead #6 - Roles and Responsibilities

  • bridge contractors
  • large maintenance and new construction
  • all work is open tender

Overhead #7 - Maintenance Activities - by Highway Maintenance Contractor

  • emergency work

- all unforeseen type

- require some immediate action

Overhead #8 - Emergency Work - Initial Response

  • responsibility of MCI/FST & Highway Maintenance Contractor
  • secure the site
  • remove danger to traffic
  • interim measures
  • contact bridge staff

Overhead #9 - Typical Bridge Maintenance by Operations Group

  • responsibility of operations group
  • funded under highway maintenance budget

Overhead #10 - Minor Maintenance by Bridge Staff

  • Responsibility of RBT
  • Routine maintenance looks after problems that develop over long periods of time often over several BIM inspection cycles

Overhead #11 - Minor Culvert Maintenance by Bridge Staff

Responsibility of RBT

  • As for bridges this work is based on condition change over time
  • Somewhat predictable
  • Not all culverts require strutting, shotcrete repair

Overhead #12 - Major Maintenance/Rehabilitation & Construction

  • by bridge staff
  • by open tender
  • in excess of $50,000

Overhead #13 - Shared Responsibilities

  • to maximize effectiveness & efficiencies, cooperation necessary
  • when MCI/FST is repairing approach railing, may also do bridge rail as well or vice versa
  • share information on accident damage
  • MCI/FST contracts do ACP and chip coats, etc.

Overhead #14 - Identifying Bridge Maintenance

  • maintenance needs come from many sources
  • department staff working in the field, inspectors and others
  • highway maintenance and other department contractors

Overhead #15 - Identifying Bridge Maintenance

  • regular scheduled BIM inspections
  • either Level 1 or Level 2
  • preventative maintenance is on a regular schedule based on experience or accepted standards, not identified problems

Overhead #16 - Identifying Bridge Maintenance

  • other sources, other agencies or road users who report problems that are encountered

Overhead #17 - Bridge Maintenance Safety Issues

  • source of information is Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
  • RBT also a good source
  • inspectors must know the requirements as spelled out in regulations
  • responsible for ensuring regulations are complied with
  • bridge work has many unique issues

- high rigging, cranes, confined spaces, etc.

Overhead #18 - Bridge Environmental Issues

  • approval required wherever work impacts a watercourse
  • permit wherever stream diversion occurs
  • Navigable waters approval whenever navigation is affected

(a canoe navigates!)

Overhead #19 - Initiating Minor Maintenance Work

  • bridge maintenance for Highway Maintenance Contractor is initiated by RBT
  • initiated by Work Order or BMA
  • information required:
  1. bridge information
  2. permits/approvals (must be on site during work)
  3. work instructions
  4. completion date
  5. drawings
  6. specifications

Overhead #20 - Work Processes

  • department may negotiate on prices
  • does not have to award to HMC - can reject and go to public tender
  • also may offer work to other contractor
  • when scope of work changes work may continue at existing price, negotiate new price, complete work by another contract

Overhead #21 - Quality Assurance/Quality Control

  • many references available to assist the inspector
  • as department representative must know OH & S Regulations
  • responsible for knowing how work should be performed and expected results to be achieved
  • if in doubt, talk to RBT or Bridge Project Engineer for advice

Overhead #22 - Quality Assurance/Quality Control

  • contractor has responsibility to do work in keeping with specifications
  • must have own quality assurance processes in place to ensure this is happening
  • he must deliver the end product specified

Overhead #23 - Quality Assurance/Quality Control

  • department is responsible for ensuring the product received is in keeping with requirements of contract and what is being paid for
  • specifications spell out level of testing required, inspector must ensure this is happening
  • contractor must deliver what the contract requires
  • when department is satisfied product complies it accepts and pays

Overhead #24 - Project Records

  • thorough documentation throughout the project is essential

(field and office diaries)

  • particularly in case of extras, claims or dispute resolution
  • later follow-up to monitor performance
  • cost information for future bidding

Belke Consulting Ltd.Overhead Notes1 of 6