Establishing severe deterioration and maintenance rules of bridge components: An empirical study in Taiwan

The aging of bridges is a growing global concern, as deteriorating structural components threaten transportation safety. This study employs K-Means clustering, Chi-square tests, and correlation analysis to examine 14,550 national highway bridge inspection records from 2021 to 2023. It identifies 17 major maintenance rules, highlighting key correlations between bridge types, deterioration conditions, and component locations. Common issues include concrete cracking, spalling, fragmentation, exposed steel reinforcement, and corrosion, with increased prevalence as bridges age. These issues are particularly prominent in regions subjected to heavy traffic loads. Maintenance efforts should focus on the main girders, wing walls, and retaining walls, particularly addressing concrete structure cracks, which are more frequent in older bridges. These findings provide valuable insights for bridge maintenance management units, offering a foundation for more targeted and efficient maintenance strategies, and ultimately helping to extend the lifespan and safety of critical infrastructure.