A Condition Assessment and Prediction Framework for Bridges Expansion Joints in Egypt

摘要

Bridges play a vital role in resolving transportation problems in Egypt. The objective of this research is to predict the conditions of bridges expansion joints (EJ), with the aim of proposing appropriate maintenance and repair strategies that extends their lifespans. An expansion joint management system (EJMS) was developed with the aim of recommending the optimum maintenance strategy for bridges that optimizes time and cost. This model uses a combination of fuzzy logic (FL) and genetic algorithm (GA) in order to provide optimal recommendations. Moreover, a transition matrix for predicting deterioration of EJs using Markov Chain was developed. In order to test the model, several case studies of existing bridges in Egypt were used and the results were assessed against those documented through visual inspection. The comparison indicated that the developed EJMS is efficient in predicting the bridge EJs condition, where there was a deviation of 5% between the predicted condition from EJMS and the actual conditions observed through visual inspections. In addition, EJMS can play an important role in supporting decision makers in selecting the optimum maintenance and repair strategy that would minimize the overall condition of expansion joints while meeting a certain budget constraint.