Review of condition assessment and retrofitting techniques for timber bridge assets in Australia

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the types of timber bridges in Australia and identifies the shortcoming associated with the ageing stock in order to preserve these assets and render them safe and useable under new loading standards. Methods available to assess the condition and residual capacity of timber bridges by non destructive techniques and retrofitting techniques to enhance the strength are discussed, with the objective of increasing the design life and satisfying strength criterion.