Development and Implementation of MIS Based Bridge Management System and

Study of New Bridge Crossings, Bridge Inventory and Condition Assessment

FIELD SURVEYS AND

INVESTIGATIONS

2.1 DATA COLLECTION AND DESK STUDY

Following the Agreement the Consultant commence to the Services. Data, documents and maps
were collected from the Bridge Project as well as other units of DOR and other institutions like
JICA, DOLIDAR, NEA, RRRP etc. These include:
 Soft Copy of Map of Nepal (Shape Files containing Boundaries, Rivers, Roads, etc.)
 List of SRN roads that need to be studied under the assignment
 Copy of the database “Microsoft Access” - which may a useful tool to develop the MIS
BMS as per the requirement of TOR
 DOR Guidelines
 Bridge Inventory Records
 Records of the Past Inspections
 Associated Standards
 SRN Traffic Data, etc.

2.2 REVIEW OF PRESENT STATUS OF BRIDGE MANAGEMENT

2.2.1 Bridge Management System

The available records indicate that Road Maintenance Project (RMP) under the technical and
financial assistance of DFID in 1996, made a progress toward establishing a Bridge Management
System in DOR. Procedure for the inspection and maintenance were defined and commenced.
However, full implementation and cycle of inspection, planning and maintenance is yet to be
placed in DOR, because of the insufficient training program to the technical manpower of the
Maintenance.
2.2.2 Review of Existing Bridge Inventory Records
One of the initial tasks performed by the Consultant was the review of the existing Bridge
Inventory Record of 1996 and 2005.
It was observed that a Card based Bridge Inventory seems to have been established in Bridge
Unit following a survey by local consultants. The inventory was found consistent with international
standard, and Bridge Inventory Record Cards are held in Bridge Unit in DOR headquarter, in the
Regional Centers and in the Maintenance Divisions.
It was noted that these cards do not provide the GPS coordinates of the bridge and is thus
difficult to identify the bridge in GIS map.
As per DOR Bridge Inspection Manual, all Maintenance Divisions were supposed to update the
bridge database for the newly constructed bridges. Similarly, the Divisions were supposed to
provide appropriate copies of these records to the Regional Office and Bridge Project. But in
practice, it has not been followed. Thus, it was very difficult to identify the exact numbers of

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 Development and Implementation of MIS Based Bridge Management System and
Study of New Bridge Crossings, Bridge Inventory and Condition Assessment

bridges whose inventory and condition assessment is to be made from the available records. It
implied that many of the existing bridges needed to be identified at field itself.
2.2.3 Bridge Condition Assessment
A condition survey seems to have been undertaken by local consultants, with a standardized
system of reporting. A Bridge Condition Survey Report, 1996 and 2005 for 100 bridges exist in
DOR. Most of these reports were reviewed during inception period and observations made.
In the condition survey, each bridge was divided into 10 categories of bridge element as follows:
 Approach roads, embankment and drainage
 Bridge deck surface, drainage and footpaths
 Parapet, railings and guard rails
 Expansion joints
 Deck (beam, cross-beam and slab)
 Bearings
 Abutments
 Piers
 Bridge protection works
 River training works

Each of these elements was rated in a numerical scale 0 (Zero) to 4 (four) to describe the
condition of each elements, extent of damages, and the urgency associated with the defects of
the structure.
2.2.4 DOR’s Guidelines
The available DOR's Guidelines were also reviewed. It was noted that during implementation of
Road Maintenance Project funded by DFID, several guideline and manuals were developed.
These include:
 Procedures for the Inspection and Maintenance of Bridges
 Bridge Inspection Manual
 Guidance for the Routine Maintenance of Bridges
 Guideline for Minor Repair
Four types of inspection formats are been outlined in DOR Manual. These include:
 Superficial Inspection
 Routine Inspection
 Principal Inspection, and
 Special Inspection.
It was observed that the relevant formats for the present Study are Routine Inspection Form and
Principal `Inspection Form.
2.2.5 Computerization of Database
A system based on the use of Microsoft Access was designed in Roughton International’s UK
headquarter. The soft copy of the software was obtained from the Bridge Project.

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 Development and Implementation of MIS Based Bridge Management System and
Study of New Bridge Crossings, Bridge Inventory and Condition Assessment

Examination of existing system was carried out during inception phase and the conclusion drawn is:
 Existing system at DOR Bridge Project is developed in MS Access as front and back end
which is not compatible for distribution in internet.
 Existing system does not capture sufficient information which is needed for DOR.
 Existing system is not extendable and integration of this system with other internet based
applications is not possible.
From the above listed drawbacks of existing system it was concluded that it can't be reused.
However, in-depth examination of the existing system will be done in requirement analysis phase
to find out if some of its elements can be used in the new system.

2.3 PREPARATION FOR ORIENTATION AND FIELD WORKS

The forms to be used for the field works were prepared. The contents of these forms were
discussed with DOR prior to actual field works. The 5 forms were:
 Form 1 - Form for Recording of New Bridge Crossings
 Form 2 - Form for Bridge Inventory
 Form 3 - Form for Routine Bridge Inspection
 Form 4 - Form for Socio-Economic Assessment
 Form 5 - Form for Principal Bridge Inspection
Forms 1 and 2 were designed to provide information for New Crossings and Bridge Inventory.
The Inventory Record Card was designed to give basic information of each bridge. As discussed with the
Client, these cards included GIS system of location and were linked with the national grid system.
Form 3 provided was for routine inspection of bridges. Form 5: Principal Inspection Format was used to
prepare detailed design and drawings for top ranked bridges for rehabilitation.
As far as the unique identification number format for each crossing/bridge is concerned, followings
system of coding were used after discussion and consultation with the DOR
 DD-H001-000 for National Highways
 DD-F001-000 for Feeder Roads
In the identification, the first two digits were the code of the district (in digital format) where the
bridges are located. The district code number was as provided by the National Planning
Commission. The next was for a particular road link. H for Highways (H001 for East West
Highway, etc.) and F for Feeder roads with 3 digit link code number. The last three digits were for
bridge number in a particular road link. The number has been assigned in ascending order
commencing for km 0+000.

2.4 PILOT SURVEY

At first, a pilot survey of 3 bridges was undertaken. The pilot survey was conducted with the
participation of all team members. The team members were demonstrated how the forms are to
be filled up and what are required to be inspected. Each team then carried out bridge inventory
and condition assessment individually. These bridges were then again inspected by all team
members in order to check and verify accuracy and consistency. This was a sample exercise to
test the applicability of the survey format as well as for establishing uniformity of expression and
understanding of the distress level vis-à-vis the quantitative rating.

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 Development and Implementation of MIS Based Bridge Management System and
Study of New Bridge Crossings, Bridge Inventory and Condition Assessment

2.3 NEW CROSSING IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING

2.3.1 Identification of River Crossings/Streams Required to be Bridged

All the rivers/crossings were verified in the field. In addition to the Bridge Identification Number,
the location of each crossing was identified in Nepalese National Grid Datum with its latitude and
longitude (GPS Coordinate) along with the name of road link, road classification, chainage, etc.
The adjoining VDCs or municipalities on both banks, relevant district and region, etc. was noted.
Bridges not identified during the desk study but identified during field survey works were also
surveyed and details recorded.
Sketch of location plan were prepared in the record to give the visualization of the plan view of the area.
The required bridge length, probable bridge type, required river protection works etc. were also
identified and noted.
Each location was subjected to photographs as per the stipulations of the Terms of Reference. As
required, following views were photographed:
 upstream side view
 downstream side view
 left bank view
 right bank view
 view to show crossing condition and requirement of protection and ancillary works and
surrounding environment.
If one picture did not cover the necessary area, several pictures from the same spot with sufficient
overlapping were taken.
Sample of Inventory Card of New Crossings is presented in Annex 1.
It should be noted that not all alignment of the PSRN could be surveyed because in many cases
the exact location of the bridge site could not be identified as some roads are in planning stage
only. However, for the record of the DOR, bridges on such alignment were identified from the GIS
map.
2.3.2 Socio-Economic Assessment
2.3.2.1 Methodology of the Study
The methodology included inventory of bridges, public consultation with the local stakeholders, and
interview survey with the road users, and secondary data collection for the verification of field data.
Similarly, formal and informal discussions and consultations were also held with the officials of relevant
institutions/stakeholders at different levels in order to assess information related to the project and
scope.
2.3.2.2 Public Consultation
The task of public consultation was carried out in different settlements during the study. Individual
consultations with district level government authorities in the district head quarters were also conducted
to understand the field situation.
The group discussions between people of different economic, political, educational, and social level in
the project sites were held in different places. The numbers of participants in consultation were varied
according to the availability of local people in the bridge sites.

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 Development and Implementation of MIS Based Bridge Management System and
Study of New Bridge Crossings, Bridge Inventory and Condition Assessment

2.3.2.3 Key Informants Interview

In this method, interview with the road users, district officials, VDC officials and other related
stakeholders were conducted.
2.3.2.4 Secondary Data Collection
During the study, the social team collected different data from secondary sources. Available VDC
profile, district profile, and other related materials were collected to know the demographic information
of the project beneficiaries.
The findings of the study are presented in Appendix 5, Volume 4.

2.4 BRIDGE INVENTORY AND CONDITION ASSESSMENT

2.4.1 Bridge Inventory

A sound database is a prerequisite for efficient bridge management and the collection of accurate
inventory data was therefore a priority. In order to complete the work prescribed a fast-track
approach was adopted with the inventory surveys and condition assessment of all the bridges in
SRN and PSRN by employing several teams in parallel at a time in each Development Regions.
Because of the big volume of bridges in the eastern and central region, three teams each were
employed, in order to establish a MIS based database of the entire bridge stock in a shortest possible
time.
The inventory record were based on the form prescribed by the DOR’s Bridge Manual. However, some
modifications were made to the form, and this modified form was used for the inventory survey.
The scope of the inventory was restricted to bridge structures, with culverts, minor causeways
and retaining walls being omitted. The Bridge Inventory has recorded a total of 1543 existing
bridges and 165 bridges under construction in SRN and PSRN.
In order to not miss any existing bridge or new crossing in a particular road, each team started works
from the start point of the road in a particular region and finish at the road link’s end point.
Inventory, among others, contained the following details:
(a) General Data of the Bridge Site
This included bridge number, bridge name, name of road link, chainage, region, district,
VDCs/Municipalities/DDCs on both banks, bridge length and GPS coordinates.
(b) General Information of the Bridge
This included name of the river, type of the bridge, design load, bridge width, load restrictions,
height restriction, carriage-way width, number of lanes.
(c) Construction Details
This included no of spans, length of individual span, type of superstructure, abutment type, type
of foundation, type of pier, type of bearing, type of railing, type of surface, river training, services,
road signs etc.
(d) Details of River Training Works
This included type, location, length, height, base width, top width.
(e) Availability of Other Information such as drawings, reports, calculation, others, if any
(f) Photographs and the Sketches

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 Development and Implementation of MIS Based Bridge Management System and
Study of New Bridge Crossings, Bridge Inventory and Condition Assessment

Further, a clean sketch of bridge site with details such as bridge length, river type, river training
works and other details were prepared. Details with dimension of the followings were also
prepared:
 General plan
 Elevation, and
 Cross section
Further, photographs of the bridge site and the bridge structure covering various details as far as
practicable were taken.
Sample of Bridge Inventory Card is presented in Annex 2.
2.4.2 Bridge Condition Assessment
Following the collection of inventory data the next, but equally important, task in establishing the
Bridge Database was to determine the existing condition of all the strategic road network bridges.
The condition assessment actually started in parallel with the inventory survey and the intention
of the condition survey was to generate a priority listing of the bridge structures and to select
bridges that would rank top on the priority list and carry out further detailed inspection of selected
bridges to determine the remedial treatment.
The condition survey inspections were undertaken following the “Guidelines for inspection and
maintenance of Bridges” manual as a guide. In the condition assessment, bridge condition,
extent and severity of damages or deterioration were recorded. The inspection forms were
customized for use with a numerical rating system being introduced to classify the condition of
each element of the structure, the extent of any defects, and the urgency of any remedial work.
In order to determine the condition of a bridge, the teams inspected the condition of each and
every item for each of the elements of the bridge and assigned the suitable numerical rating to it.
Any condition not foreseen in the format was noted as 'Remark'. Similarly, the condition, extent
and urgency of the damage to the various structural elements were assessed assigning numeric
values as per the guidelines. The rating for each element was done in a scale of 0 to 4.
The general condition assessment of all the SRN and PSRN bridges completed in the first week
of February, 2012.
The assessment also included noting down the number of traffic using the road, the importance
of road, traffic congestion due to inadequate bridge width, AADT, etc.

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