The characteristics of a sustainable bridge: a case study of Second Penang Bridge

Abstract

The aging and deterioration of bridges and the new requirements for sustainable infrastructures and communities require innovative approaches for their management that can achieve an adequate balance between social, economic, and environmental sustainability. This study presents the common criteria which can make a sustainable bridge in the construction industry by considering three objectives, which are, to identify the common criteria for a sustainable structure, then to observe the criteria to the bridges, and to investigate the applications of the criteria in bridge design and construction. The study was carried out through a literature survey and case studies. Result from the study found that there were 29 critical criteria have been identified and significantly influenced on sustainable bridges in the design and construction. The whole criteria, then, were categorized into three aspects such as economic, environmental, and social. A case study was carried out on the underconstruction of the Second Penang Bridge. The results of the case study revealed that it has achieved most of the criteria of the sustainability bridge. It rendered useful references in designing sustainable bridges and could be classified as the top ranking of bridges in the case of sustainability. Additionally, the model of ranking for bridge sustainability is suggested.