Conditional assessment of Kiri Bridge in Shkoder, Albania

Abstract

The Kiri bridge is located 1 km in north-west of Shkoder city and it is the only connection for the city of Shkoder and the Vau i Dejes hydropower station. It is a reinforced concrete bridge with 8 spans, 2 sidewalks and steels parapets on both sides. In this paper general evaluation of the bridge’s current structural conditions and the ability of the bridge to withstand loads from the vehicular traffic are examined. The methodology used in this study consists of the proper definition of the bridge’s structural elements and field inspection of each of them. Deterioration of the structural elements, damage of the paving, parapets and expansion joints are observed at a great extent. The other identified defects are recorded in an inspection form. As a result, the overall conditions were rated 6/10. In this paper some precautions and further measures to be taken are suggested.