The impact of pier height on the construction costs of integral road bridges: An application of artificial intelligence

Abstract

There are multiple definitions for integral road bridges. One of them explains that these are single-span bridges without expansion joints or bearings at the discontinuity locations. In terms of durability and maintenance, discontinuity locations are considered to be construction parts most exposed to damage in this type of structure. Engineers' efforts to lower maintenance costs and extend the durability of structures have led to the emergence of integral bridges. Early assessment of construction costs is crucial in determining the justification for constructing such structures, as it allows both the investor and the contractor to gauge their involvement in the project's implementation. The construction costs can be determined based on the structure characteristics. One of the major characteristics of integral bridges is the height of their piers. This paper examines how the pier height affects the construction costs of integral road bridges. The prognostic model in the Python 3.7.6 software package applies neural networks to determine the impact of pier height. According to the research, the pier height accounts for up to 20% of the total construction costs of integral road bridges.

Keywords

• artificial intelligence
• neural networks
• integral road bridges
• costs
• pier height
• impact