Condition assessment techniques used for non-building structures - Emphasis on measurement techniques

This paper attempts to summarize common condition assessment techniques, focusing on 'bridges' and 'historic monuments' and giving brief examples of condition assessment and measurement techniques from previous projects. Bridges have special importance among other civil engineering structures not only because they are the weakest chain links of an operational transportation system, but also they have demanding loading conditions of truck traffic, cyclic temperature, dynamic loading, and harsh environmental conditions (e.g. freezing and thawing, salting etc.). Condition assessment techniques are spread over a wide range from visual inspection to changing the bridge to an on-site laboratory.