Considerations on recent trends in, and future prospects of, steel bridge construction in Japan

In this paper, consideration is given on recent trends in, and requirements for a bright future of, steel bridge construction in Japan. As far as recent trends are concerned, it is observed that the construction of long and big steel bridges has practically been completed. Consequently, the focus of recent main works is the maintenance of superannuated (overaged) bridges and the seismic retrofitting of existing bridges. The refreshment and regeneration of some superannuated bridges is also needed recently in order to mitigate the uncomfortable influence of these bridges on their surrounding environment. As for a bright future in steel bridge construction, first and foremost it is emphasized that the steel bridge industry should be able to attract, train and retain better students and engineers. For this purpose, maintenance and retrofitting works should be economically reasonable jobs. The necessity and importance of these works should be understood by the nation through retrofitting existing bridges against disasters and mitigating the unfavourable influence of bridge structures on the bridge environment on the basis of the code of ethics for civil engineers promulgated by JSCE. Moreover, bridge engineers should seek better social status and the bridge engineering field should become attractive to young students who will bear the future of this field. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.