‘Effective maintenance’ needed to prevent more U.S. bridge failure

WHAT: A report released Monday by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association indicated more than 47,000 bridges in the United States are in crucial need of repairs and it will take more than 80 years to do the work. 

EXPERT: Mark Bowman, a civil engineering professor, can talk about the problems facing bridges and research to improve bridge life and performance. 

QUOTE:  “The intent is to make sure that the Department of Transportation performs effective maintenance to prolong the service lives of the bridges. But bridges, just like people, do have a limited life. And then they need to be replaced. That takes both time and money to do.” 

MORE INFORMATION

• Research specialty on structural engineering with a focus on steel design, structural analysis and design, and structural fatigue.
• Member of Purdue’s Bowen Laboratory and the Steel Bridge Research, Inspection, Training, and Engineering Center.
• Co-author, “Bridge Preservation Treatments and Best Practices.” 

CONTACT: 

Writer: Brian Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Source: Mark Bowman, 765-494-2220, bowmanmd@purdue.edu