Patologías ambientales en puentes metálicos: Evaluación teórica y estrategias de mitigación

Marcelo David Guerra-Valladares; Andrea Natalí Zárate-Villacrés; Cristian Andrés Marcillo-Zapata; Jennifer Elizabeth Pino-Arguello; Julio Andrés Fiallos-Iglesias

Authors

Guerra-Valladares Marcelo David Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo – Facultad de Ingeniería. Riobamba, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4119-4959
Zárate-Villacrés Andrea Natalí Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo – Facultad de Ingeniería, Riobamba, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7183-2862
Marcillo-Zapata Cristian Andrés Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo – Facultad de Ingeniería, Riobamba, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2552-903X
Pino-Arguello Jennifer Elizabeth Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo – Facultad de Ingeniería, Riobamba, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8386-5786
Fiallos-Iglesias Julio Andrés Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo – Facultad de Ingeniería, Riobamba, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2145-5809

Keywords:

Metal bridges, corrosion, fatigue, maintenance, Environmental conditions

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/ig.v9i18.0351

Abstract

This article analyzes how climate and pollution—such as humidity, wind, and sudden temperature changes—damage metal bridges. Day-to-day exposure to the elements wears down these structures; in fact, rust and the fatigue caused by the constant passage of vehicles are their worst enemies, as they strip away their strength and load-bearing capacity. Added to this are aerodynamic vibrations and the problems that arise when the metal heats up and has no room to expand, which ends up cracking important connections. It is also clear that visually inspecting a bridge is no longer enough. The support of technology is needed, using sensors and non-destructive testing, to discover problems in time. To protect these structures, it is recommended to use special steels (such as galvanized or COR-TEN), apply high-quality anti-corrosive paints, and approach the design strategically so that water does not pool. In conclusion, if the goal is for the infrastructure to be safe and durable, the key lies in controlling damage through rigorous preventive maintenance guided by international standards.

Keywords: Metal bridges, corrosion, fatigue, maintenance, Environmental conditions.

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