WHOLE LIFE PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF HIGHWAY STRUCTURES: PROPOSED PROCEDURE

This paper describes the principles behind a new whole life performance-related bridge assessment methodology which is currently being developed by the Highways Agency. This method will take into account the age of the bridge and enable assessing engineers to determine not only essential safety-related maintenance needs but also preventative actions which may be justified on economic grounds. The use of whole life target profile diagrams specific to each individual bridge is briefly outlined. For the covering abstract see IRRD 898092.