Water Impact Reduction on the Deck of the Bridge Structure by Using Complete Drainage Installation

AbstractWater, without which the life would not exist, may significantly reduce lifetime of a bridge structure, which is not well drained, and not only from the surface of bridge deck, but also from its covering. On the contrary, when a proper drainage is present, it not only prolongs the bridge lifetime, but also significantly reduces the operating costs of its maintenance. In recent years, the newly constructed bridge drainage systems together with the follow-up accessories considerably avoid the accumulation of water in all critical points of the bridge and in layers of asphalt. Its retention in all parts of the bridge, or improper outflow, is causing corrosion of the steel and the concrete. Taking a look at the stone bridges standing alone for centuries and often without the need of major repairs, both layman and expert would wonder: “How is it possible that these jewels of engineering have survived through long years and those elegant bridge works built up in recent decades need often and costly repairs?” It has been a stone composition of “opus spicatum” style that has become one of the first drainage systems used with ancient bridge works. The water retaining in bridge construction is very often the cause of its defects. Correctly and professionally installed drainage systems guarantees perfect water drainage from the all parts of bridge and layers of asphalt, and insures a long lifetime of all the bridge structure parts