Life-Cycle Cost Analysis for Short- and Medium-Span Bridges

Abstract

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) has been defined as a method to assess the total cost of a project. It is a simple tool to use when a single project has different alternatives that fulfill the original requirements. Different alternatives could differ in initial investment, operational and maintenance costs among other long term costs. The cost involved in building a bridge depends upon many different factors. However, long-term cost need to be considered to estimate the overall cost of the project and determine its LCC. Without watchful consideration of the long-term costs and full life-cycle costing, current investment decisions that look attractive could be resulting in a waste of economic resources in the future. This research is focused on short and medium span bridges (between 30 ft and 130 ft) which represents 57% of the NBI INDIANA bridge inventory. Bridges are categorized in three different groups of span ranges. Different superstructure types are considered for both concrete and steel options. Types considered include: bulb tees, AASHTO prestressed beams, slab bridges, prestressed concrete box beams, steel beams, steel girders, folded plate girders and simply supported steel beams for dead load and continuous for live load (SDCL). A design plan composed of simply supported bridges and continuous spans arrangements was carried out. Analysis for short and medium span bridges in Indiana based on LCCA is presented for different span ranges and span configurations. Results will help designers to consider the most cost-effective bridge solution for new projects, resulting in cost savings for agencies involved.

Life cycle assessment of next generation non‐metallic bridges

“…Notably, a comprehensive LCCA conducted by Indiana Department of Transportation in 2019 on different bridge superstructures revealed that total life cycle cost of bridges is 2.5 times on an average, mainly contributed by repair, refurbishment, and replacement. 33…”

“…F I G U R E 7 Lifecycle profile of a prestressed concrete I-beam bridge and deterioration curve of concrete deck for Indiana Bridge Management System. 33,34 T A B L E 5 Probabilistic estimation of whole life tCO2e of the BT-72 girder bridge superstructure. In Table 6, it is estimated that in case of the Conventional Bridge, the maximum shares of embodied carbons in permanent construction materials are constituted from the NCC (76 tons) and steel reinforcement (56 tons).…”

“…Figure 7 shows the lifecycle profile and deterioration curve of a PC I‐beam bridge considered for Indiana Bridge Management System respectively 33,34 indicating that deck and bearing replacement is usually performed in 40 years of construction and a new construction is needed by 60 years of service life due to the severe deterioration and reduced structural performances. Notably, a comprehensive LCCA conducted by Indiana Department of Transportation in 2019 on different bridge superstructures revealed that total life cycle cost of bridges is 2.5 times on an average, mainly contributed by repair, refurbishment, and replacement 33 …”

“…Lifecycle profile of a prestressed concrete I‐beam bridge and deterioration curve of concrete deck for Indiana Bridge Management System 33,34 …”