This week its something a bit different! Understanding the causes of deterioration is just as important as resolving vectors.
The rail bridge over Westmoreland Road, (on the route of the U18 bus leaving Oldfield Park on the way to uni) Bath, England, is showing some signs of distress. Ignoring the small amount of vehicle damage to the beams there are 2 separate worrying signs of deterioration.
As knowledgeable engineers you should be able to identify both signs of deterioration (in the beams only) and suggest what may have caused these. You can just about make out both from Google street view but its much easier to spot if you actually see the bridge.
The signs of deterioration could be: shear cracks, flexural cracks, longitudinal cracks, spalling or random surface cracking.
The causes maybe anything from blocked expansion joints, to overloading, Alkali-silica reaction, carbonation, or poor concrete cover.
Respond