Bridge asset management Project
Project for Bridge asset Management Support Service to
ERA districts ( BMSS )
1 BACK GROUND INFORMATION
Implementation of the Bridge Management System ( BMS ) is a new practice in Ethiopian Roads Authority and since 2004, ERA aggressively moving towards realizing this system by establishing Bridge Management Branch Office, upgrading the existing ERA-BMS and developing ERA-CMS ( culvert Management System ) software, launching nation wide bridge inventory and inspection projects, conducting capacity building focused trainings to ERA and Regional Road Authority engineers as well as by formulating bridge rehabilitation projects for the selected bridges that need immediate intervention .
Lack of information about the existing bridges in Ethiopia, since long time ago, was one of the major problems to contemplate bridge rehabilitation or replacement issues. During formulation of RSDP projects, in 1997, absence of bridge database prevailed it self as vital issue. It was after then, in 2000, a self initiated native bridge engineer showed up to introduce the so called “Bridge Management System” in Ethiopia, which is widely used in developed countries since the past two decades.
After intensive work on design of BMS which was followed by testing and checking of its well functioning by using sample of bridge data collected form all ten ERA districts, the ERA-BMS software, was officially launched in 2004.
Then after, in valuable cooperation with JICA, a series of trainings that focused on bridge inventory and inspection works are given to a number of Bridge/road workers and engineers residing in different districts.
In 2005, the so called `Federal Bridge Inventory and Inspection (FBII) `, project was launched in aiming to have well organized bridge database. In completion of this project, after 13 months, ERA, for the first time since establishment in 1943, could own a huge size of bridge database. Nearly, 3000 bridges and 27000 culverts have been registered with their detail information.
In 2008, similarly, the ` Regional Roads Bridge Inventory and Inspection ( RRBII ) project was also launched in aiming dissemination of BMS to Rural road Authorities and to have full data of bridge and culvert existing in the country.
As a result, as of September 2008, we could have 4407 bridges and 40567 culverts (opening length < 4mt) registered with all kinds of geographical, physical and condition data.
The ERA-BMS software brought a radical change in making available and operating the bridge database as well as producing multipurpose information / reports with in a few minutes from the computer.
By nature, the bridge management work requires continuous operation of the database. No matter what a good working system was developed, it needs regular updating and enhancement.
Therefore, after completion of FBII project, the capacity building project was launched in cooperation with JICA, to disseminate the bridge asset management knowledge to districts and Regional Road agencies.
The bridge Management Branch ( BMB ) Office at ERA HQ centrally monitoring the Bridge/Culvert database, following up the database updating works, producing bridge
related reports, providing bridge related information , preparing bridge improvement proposals, technically assists districts and RRAs, assists contract projects in bridge design checking and advising in tackling bridge construction problems, as well as conducts capacity building activities in cooperation with JICA.
Along this capacity building effort, ERA learnt that district offices must be strengthened to cop up with the requirements enabling proper running of the bridge asset management activities.
Currently, district offices are suffering from lack of engineers due to continuous leave out to private sector in seeking better payment. This situation put sustainability of BMS in question.
As a solution, ERA has decided to contract out the bridge asset management service at least for three years, which aims establishment of well organized bridge management team and strengthening of each district office in the sector.
Then, all ten district offices of ERA divided by three groups considering geography. The tender document was prepared and all interested local firms are invited to participate and contribute in achievement of the preset nationwide objectives.
The project is going to be financed by a Road Fund Administration. The consultants will use all the available database and documents (Manual, forms, software) necessary to run the service. This service shall cover all bridges and culverts along the Federal roads under the corresponding district jurisdiction.
The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, represented by the Ethiopian Roads Authority, has allocated funds for performing a bridge management service at districts level by taking over the entire management activities.
It is now the intention of ERA to employ a suitably qualified consultant to manage bridge / culvert database by making Regular , Major and Special inspection , identify ,describe and quantify maintenance works to be performed and produce tender documents to be followed by contract supervision .
2 OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICES
i. To assure sustainability of bridge asset management in districts level by
making regular inspection and updating of the existing bridge database.
ii. To assure availability of all the required correct and current information as well as design documents of bridges and culverts which are along the federal road network.
iii. To prepare a Bridge and Culvert improvement Master plan at district level that will be used as input for nation wide master plan. As part of this objective, the consultant shall carry out detailed investigation of bridges and forward recommendation for Rehabilitation/Replacement.
iv. To enhance the bridge repair and supervision ability and capacity of the local firms ( through performing bridge inspection, damage identifying , preparation of BOQ and unit price , selection of repairing methods and work procedures , training and developing experience ) to perform high quality bridge repair, efficiently.
3 SCOPE OF THE SERVICES
The services consist of furnishing complete engineering services in all respect, including all field and office work in strict accordance with the highest standards of the civil engineering profession and with proper interpretation of the duties and responsibilities of the Engineer.
The scope of the Services shall include all the services necessary to achieve the objectives described in Section two (2) above and, in so doing, the Consultant shall expeditiously execute not less than the following tasks: The scope of the consultancy services should be considered to fall with in the following five main task groups.
1 Update the existing bridge and culvert database.
2 Conduct Regular and Major Inspection for all bridges/culverts along the Federal roads.
3 Make Rehabilitation/Replacement need assessment.
4 Revision of bridge damage repair specification and cost analysis documents. 5 Supervise the Bridge / Culvert maintenance works.
4 TASKS TO BE ACHIEVED
Group I - Conduct Regular and Major Inspection. Inspection
Each and every bridge/culvert at the district shall be visually inspected at least once per year as per the “Regular Inspection “ instruction described in ERA “Bridge Inspection Manual “ and at least once within three ( 3 ) years as per the instruction of the same manual for “Major Inspection “ . Most of culverts need intensive inventory and inspection works as the current ERA-CMS, which requires a lot of data contains only limited data due to its development after completion of the Federal Bridge Inventory and Inspection project which was conducted in 2005/06. The inventory work shall cover all Bridges and Culverts, which are newly completed or under construction or transferred from Regional Road Authorities that current may not exist in the database.
All “ Regular “ and “Major” inspection findings shall be recorded and
comparison of bridge and culvert condition from the previous inspection data shall be presented
Inventory
Bridge/ Culvert Location information is very important to identify whereabouts of Bridge or Culvert. Accuracy is important as well. Traditionally, In ERA, distance from Addis Ababa is used for reference since long time. We do not have any complain in this regard, but, in order to have reliable mark, taking of geographical coordinates is better. All the existing database will also checked for correctness against this fact. Geometrical data of bridges.
Bridge/ Culvert Pictures
While both “ Regular “ and “ Major`` inspection are taking place best
representative pictures showing front view, side view, area view, damages view shall be digitally taken and stored in the corresponding software .
Sorting out Bridge pictures such as: By Type, Pier type, Abutment type,
Girder type, Bearing type,…Bridges by common defect type ( with its cause and remedial ) By uniqueness ( historically, aesthetically, by material type,…) Data entry
All the collected inspection data shall be filled in the ERA standard forms for data collection and shall be entered in to BMS/CMS/CMS and ERA-CMS soft wares.
Other activities
If any accident may happen to any of bridge and culvert in the districts, during the project period, the consultant shall immediately happen to seek solution and advice the employer for required action.
While undertaking any kind of bridge inspection work at site, all inspectors and supervisors must wear and equip themselves as per the listed tools and equipment.
Group II - Update Bridge/ Culvert database Database Updating
The existing Bridge/ Culvert database is created in October 2006. As this database is the first one since ever, there are different information unfilled and unchecked for correctness due to time limitation and lack of manpower in ERA. Especially, most of the Culvert data are unfilled including photographs. Thus, all inventory data including Bridge/Culvert location information shall be checked and corrected ( Name, distance from AA, (x,y) coordinates, original bridge cost, name of contractor & Consultant, bridge construction project history,…) In some districts there are newly added (transferred from RRAs) road segments. Therefore, the data collection and updating works shall cover these routes.
Bridge History of design, construction and maintenance shall be collected by paying special attention. This may be obtained from local people, old documents in the district, late published materials such as newspapers, magazines, flyers, etc
All Improvement works (Replacement, realignment, widening, or major
rehabilitation) done since construction time shall be recorded for all bridges and culverts, supported by pictures as required by the ERA-BMS/CMS software `` Data entry`` menu and ``Repair History`` sub menu. Name of bridge designer individuals, together with the designing firm’s name, shall be collected as much as possible. This also deemed as necessary record of the bridge history. This data shall be recorded under the ``Bridge History`` tab of the ERA – BMS software.
All findings shall be recorded in the standard formats and entered in to ERA-BMS/CMS and ERA-CMS software. The consultant shall introduce its staff with the software so that they can operate and produce the required reports. The computer programmer shall operate all menus and submenus in the software to enter all the required data and produce all kind of reports from the REPORT menu.
Preparation of as built drawings for bridges
Collect all the available plan and drawings for all bridges and culverts. Prepare as built plan and drawings for those original documents are not available. All plan and Drawings of bridge profile details shall be prepared in A3 size
Studies and preparation of documents
Some bridges are prone to different kind of traffic accidents. Handrails, wing walls, posts, and other bridge components are getting accident repeatedly and some times in the same place. Therefore, the consultant is here expected to identify those problem areas where permanent solution
is required. The traffic accident history shall be collected and the improvement proposal will be forwarded for action
Prepare a bridge map by using GIS software which is available in ERA
HQ at planning and programming division.
Prepare a proposal (type, quantity, work load and procedure, cost,…) for bridges ID plates, load limit marks and safety signs to be placed and posted at every bridge.
Group III - Make Rehabilitation / Improvement needs assessment Bridge Improvement study and proposal
The consultant shall through out the contract period as a result of
continued inspection and survey of the bridges and culverts, shall identify and recommend Rehabilitation/Replacement needs of the bridges and culverts. As part of this objective and immediate need (first priority), the consultant shall immediately after commencement, shall study carefully the bridges, listed under section 5.2, which are already prioritized as bridges in need of immediate intervention. Make detailed investigation; come up with professionally sound improvement proposal for the client. This detail study shall be commenced immediately after the commencement of the service.
Based on the BMS software output for prioritization of bridges by
damage, detail site investigation and material & load test (as required), the consultant shall prepare a proposal for rehabilitation/ Improvement of bridges & culverts
The consultant shall submit list of bridges/culverts requiring urgent
action with BOQ, cost estimate, and plan of action. The consultant is expected to come up with the recommendation as to by whom the rehabilitation work better be carried out (DRMC, own force, private contractor). This recommendation shall be made based on the economic analysis and capacity as well as environment appraisal. Simple and the most applicable method of improvement shall also be incorporated in the recommendation.
All the Rehabilitation / Improvement proposals shall elaborately describe reasons if a structure is under any problem to function in its full capacity, inefficiently used, or under imminent danger. All the required working drawings and specification shall be issued for those to be improved.
Many bridges have no embankment rip-rap and proper channel due to
that erosion is the most prevalent problem. Therefore, the consultant is expected to study the case and come up with improvement proposal. In line with this, the most prevalent damages and defects in bridges and culverts shall be identified and supported by recommendations in order to consider them at design, construction, or repair stages
Master Plan
By the end of 9th months, based on all round findings and requirements,
the consultant shall prepare the Rehabilitation Master Plan with budget estimation to be executed with in 5 years in order to bring condition of all bridges to ”Good” as described in ERA Bridge Inspection Manual. Yearly improvement of bridges condition at district level shall be taken as important indicator However, the draft master plan that MUST contain bridge improvement proposal to be executed in 2002 EFY shall be presented not later than the end of 4th month.
The consultant shall set easy applicable methods to determine residual bearing capacity of bridges
Identify bridges with Right Of Way ( ROW ) problems where man made
irrigation, plantation, farming, houses,…are observed and prepare a proposal to solve these kind of problems in order to facilitate proper and smooth river channel
Comments in bridge design, construction, and supervision practice in the country shall be presented by the consultant that aim to bring changes and improvement in terms of aesthetical, economical and technological aspects
Group IV- Revision of bridge damage repair specification, cost analysis documents, and preparation of bridge construction cost progress indicator document Revision of the existing documents
The consultant shall study in detail the existing ``Bridge Damage Repair specification`` and ``Bridge repair unit price`` documents and come up with improvement suggestions and make it more standardize and applicable one to our country’s prevailing usage and availability of resources. This specification is expected to enable contractors and consultants achieving the required bridge repair and rehabilitation activities.
Suggestions shall be based on the local bridge repair practice and the
observed problems in different area of the country where collapse or significant damage of bridges was occurred. Remedial measures taken in any of bridge structures can be used as practical input for specification improvement. Use of skilled man power and special materials, damage identification and quality control of repairing works are the area to be focused on.
The consultant is expected to comment and forward improvement
suggestions for documents received from ERA for implementation of this project.(Bridge Inspection manual, BMS and CMS software, data collection forms ).
Bridge construction technology and cost progress study
The consultant along this study shall investigate bridge construction
technology progress in the country applied by local or foreign firms and provide its comment and suggestion on the subject matter. This study may consider bridge design progress and designers capacity available in the country, different type of bridges designed or constructed along the concerned road network, as well as problems precluding progress in the sector.
While revising the bridge repair cost analysis document, the consultant shall prepare a study document that shows progress of bridge construction cost year by year in the district area since 1930s. The construction cost progress, at interval of every 5 year, shall be categorized by bridge type, height, length,… Finding out the original construction cost of each bridge can serve as a good study document
Group V -Supervise the Bridge / Culvert Improvement works (Maintenance and Replacement)
Bridge work supervision
The supervision work shall depend on the volume of rehabilitation works approved and budget supported for execution. Theoretically it is assumed that, the consultant shall carry out the supervision activity starting the second year of the contract provided that the work shall be executed directly by own-force (DRMC or bridge & structures branch).
For bridges & Culverts which may be recommended for total replacement while making detail study of already prioritized bridges listed under clause 5.2 in the TOR, and obtained through regular or Major inspection, the design and work supervision agreement shall be made independently
The consultant shall prepare a contract document for bridge/ culvert
rehabilitation works to be performed by own force or bridge and structures branch. The consultant shall also assist ERA in the procurement of a private contractor for bridge/culvert rehabilitation works
Prepare work order and supervise the quality of bridge ID plate, safety and load limit marks placing work.
Training and assistance
The consultant shall provide training on bridge inspection and
rehabilitation course to DRMC and DED staff at least twice per year for a period of not less than 3 days.
The consultant will assist the District in carrying out follow up of this project and any request related with the project
5 Districts by lot and Bridge / Culvert asset
Lot No District Km
coverage Bridges Culverts Bridges selected for prior detail study and rehabilitation design Alemgena 3540 558 4028 7 Shashemene 2165 171 1772 10 Soddo 1746 103 1468 1 Dire Dawa 1937 238 1911 23 Lot 1 9388 1090 9179 41 Adigrat 1534 539 3647 5 Gonder 1146 219 2301 6 Combolcha 1802 627 4360 51 Lot 2 4482 1385 10308 62 DebreMarkos 1098 167 1385 18 Nekempt 1325 175 1503 5 Lot 3 Jimma 2056 158 3315 0
