Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Dry stone retaining walls: condition appraisal and remidial treatment
Dry stone retaining walls form an important part of the highway and railway infrastructure, both on bridge approaches and elsewhere.
This project proposal was first submitted at BOF9. It received the support of the Bridge Owners' Forum, and a request for funding was the forwarded to the RLG Bridges Board. CIRIA agreed to manage the project under the supervision of a project steering group.
- Steering Group (summary)
- Ronnie Wilson (Chair), Brian Bell, Ken Brady, Edward Bunting, John Clarke, Neil Garton Jones, Graham Hollett, Rod Howe, Jim Johnson, Alex Kidd, Richard Kromolicki, Hazel McDonald, Bill Middleton, Paul O'Neill, Tudor Roberts, Richard Todd, Jon Tuson, Dr Peter Walker, Jon Walters.
![[PDF]](/images/pdf.gif) |
Full Project Steering Group for RP723 (PDF File 46KB) |
| |
Project Proposal (PDF File 102KB) |
Review of BS6779 Part 4
This project was proposed by Brian Bell. The British Standard for Bridge Parapets is now out of date and conflicts with European Standard EN1317. The British Standard should not simply be withdrawn however, as it contains UK-specific details which should not be lost.
- Steering Group
- Brian Bell (Chair), Graham Bessant, Tudor Roberts, Rod Howe, Brian Poole (CSS/Durham
Qualifications for Bridge Inspectors
In the UK it is currently possible to inspect and conduct a condition appraisal of a bridge with no formal qualifications whatsoever. Furthermore, studies conducted in the United States (where a qualification is requied) have suggested that many inspections my unreliable due to human factors such as visual acuity or vertigo. (There is no formal requirement for an eye test.)
- Steering Group
- Stephen Pottle (Chair), Brian Bell, Graham Bessant, Peter Brown, Ian Sandle (HA), Richard McFarlane
- See also
- Reliability of Visual Inspection for Highway Bridges Volume I: Final Report
Carbon composites for the strengthening of steel structures
- Steering Group
- Brian Bell (Chair), Graham Bessant, Martin Dills, Neil Loudon, Peter Brown
Non-metallic Reinforcement for Bridge Decks
- Steering Group
- Ronnie Wilson (Chair), Albert Daly
Automating Bridge Inspections
- Steering Group
- Stephen Pottle (Chair), Albert Daly, Richard McFarlane
Scanning of HA Research Reports
- Steering Group
- Neil Loudon, Campbell Middleton
Completed Research Projects
Iron and steel bridges: condition appraisal and remedial treatment
Metal bridges form an important part of the national bridge inventory. Although originally proposed as a project to look at older metal bridges, the remit has been extended to examine best practice for all types of metal bridges (with the exception of suspension and cable-stayed bridges).
The project proposal was first submitted at BOF9. It received the support of the Bridge Owners' Forum, and a request for funding was forwarded to the RLG Bridges Board. CIRIA agreed to manage the project under the supervision of a steering group. It was also agreed, as a condition of the funding, that the final deliverables would be provided by CIRIA as a free download.
[Buy from CIRIA bookshop]
[Free download]
- Steering Group (summary)
- John Clarke (Chair), Brian Bell (former Chair), D Ashurst, Graham Bessant, Peter Brown, Edward Bunting, Michael Bussell, Matthew Collings, Ken Duguid, Amrit Ghose, Gerald Kerr, M Holford, Rod Howe, Robert Lark, C Mayer, John Menzies, Alan Monnickendam, T Swailes, Iain Wesley, Tony Wilkins.
| |
Full Project Steering Group for RP723 (PDF File 46KB) |
| |
Project Proposal (PDF File 109KB) |
| |
Project Specification (PDF File 109KB) |
Masonry arch bridges: condition appraisal and remedial treatment
During discussions at several of the earlier meetings of the Bridge Owners' Forum a need was identified for a comprehensive 'best practice' guide for owners and managers of masonry arch bridges.
These discussions eventually resulted in a CIRIA presentation and research the Bridge Owners' Forum at BOF6. The proposal received the support of the Forum, and subsequently support from the UK RLG Bridges Board. Funding was provided jointly by the Department for Transport, and Network Rail.
The research is now complete and the finished guide is available from the CIRIA Bookshop. The guide may also be downloaded free of charge.
See: Masonry arch bridges: condition appraisal and remedial treatment (C656)
Download form/instructions
Note: Registration is required for the download. This is to allow CIRIA to send any errata to those who have downloaded the manual.
Technical Audit of the Application of BA79
John Collins of the National Assembly for Wales suggested a review of the Bridge Assessment and Strengthening program at BOF2, and submitted a formal proposal at BOF3. The Highways Agency commissioned Parsons Brinkerhoff to produce an audit of the application of BA79. This audit included an appraisal of the assessment component of the Assessment and Strengthening Programme.
