Characterizing bridge and culvert deterioration in Arizona using national bridge inventory data

Kandgule, Vaishnavi (2023) Characterizing bridge and culvert deterioration in Arizona using national bridge inventory data. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

Text Kandgule_2023_characterizing_bridge_culvert_deterioration_arizona_usin.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB)

Abstract

The characteristics of more than 600,000 bridges in the United States are recorded in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database. The goal of this study was to quantitatively analyze the deterioration of concrete bridge decks and culverts between the years of 1992 and 2022 using this publicly available data. The results were determined using condition ratings on a scale from 0 to 9 that describe the existing, in-place bridge as compared to the as-built condition; a rating of 9 is excellent while a condition of 0 indicates failure. Two NBI coding items were used, Item 58 Deck and Item 62 Culverts that describe the overall condition rating of the deck and of a culvert, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of several key parameters on deck or culvert condition were evaluated, such as type of superstructure material, type of superstructure cross-sectional geometry, average daily traffic (ADT), type of wearing surface, and geographical location. Specifically, detailed results associated with the state of Arizona, as well as broad results associated with the entire United States are presented. The trends are based on NBI ratings over time, and bridge owners can use the results to properly assess deck condition, predict future deck condition, and plan for future bridge maintenance. In Arizona, results indicated that bridge decks carried by concrete superstructures performed better than those carried by steel superstructures; within that subset, culvert ratings over time were higher compared to ratings of decks carried by traditional superstructures. Furthermore, bridge decks and culverts carrying an ADT greater than 10000 vehicles/day exhibited more deterioration compared to those with low ADT. Overall, bridge decks and culverts in Arizona had a better rating than those in the U.S. considering comparable categories, but the rate of deterioration for bridge decks and culverts in Arizona was higher from 1992 to 2022 versus the U.S. considering many of the parameters investigated.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Arizona; Bridge Decks; Bridge rating; Culverts; Deterioration; NBI
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences > Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Environmental Engineering
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2026 21:57
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2026 21:57
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6301

Actions (login required)

IR Staff Record View

Downloads