Causes and statistical characteristics of bridge failures: A review

Bridge failure, which is generally associated with serious economic and life losses, is defined as the incapacity of a constructed bridge or its components to perform as specified in the design and construction requirements. This paper presents an overview of current researches on the typical characteristics and causes of bridge failures based on 10 former investigations. Principal causes can be divided into internal causes and external causes or natural factors and human factors. Design error, construction mistakes, hydraulic, collision, and overload are the top 5 leading causes of bridge failures, resulting in more than 70% of the bridge failures. Causes of bridge failures are closely related to regional economy, structural type, type of use, material type, and service age. The failure rate is very high for steel bridges, which is inseparable from excessive emphasis on structure strength but lack of consideration on structure stability and fatigue in early years. Researchers need to strengthen their research on the stability and fatigue of steel bridges, as well as inspection and maintenance. Extreme loads such as flood, collision, and overload contribute to a large number of bridge failures because of the lack of extreme loads data and design theory defects. It is critical for such bridges to have sufficient redundancy and capacity protection measures to reduce the probability of bridge failure due to extreme loads. Previous statistical methods and classification methods for the characteristics and causes of bridge failures lack unified standards, and a more scientific method needs to be established. A comprehensive electronic database on bridge damage and failures needs to be developed to establish damage models and conduct forensic studies to improve the design theory and specifications. • Statistical characteristics and causes of bridge failure are reviewed. • Standard for classification of causes and characteristics of bridge failure is needed. • The causes of bridge failures are related to the regional economy, structural type, type of use, material type, and service age. • Design error, construction mistakes, hydraulic, collision and overload are the top 5 leading causes of bridge failures. • It is critical for bridges to have sufficient redundancy and capacity protection measures to reduce the probability of bridge failure due to extreme loads.