LESSONS LEARNED FROM A COLLAPSED BRIDGE FOR FUTURE TIMBER BRIDGE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

 In May 2023, a timber bridge that has been popular as a waterside bridge collapsed. The bridge is an arch bridge made of Ekki from West Africa and has been in service for 27 years. Many similar timber bridges were built in Japan in the 1990s. Based on the results of overseas construction, it was said that it would be maintenance-free and could be used for 50 years, but it became clear that it would decay in a short period of time in Japan. It is thought that the reason why many timber bridges like this were built was due to the influence of the myth of the permanent bridge at the time, which believed that maintenance-free bridges were good. Bridge inspections and early repairs are now taken for granted. By studying this bridge, we will formulate the methods of bridge maintenance and consider what is necessary to protect and nurture timber bridges and the lessons that can be learned.