Subcommittee on the Update and Utilization of Historical Steel Bridge Data (Continued)
Subcommittee Overview
■Purpose of Establishment
The former Subcommittee on the Investigation of Historic Steel Bridges (1990–2002) conducted a systematic survey of the surviving condition of approximately 900 steel bridges, including iron bridges, that were fabricated and constructed over the approximately 90-year period from the beginning of the Meiji era to 1960, with the end of the riveted-bridge era regarded as one historical milestone. The resulting data were compiled as the “Historic Steel Bridge Database” and made publicly available on the JSCE website.
The “Subcommittee on Updating and Utilizing Historic Steel Bridge Data,” established in 2016, expanded the database to 1,055 historic steel bridges by adding approximately 150 bridges listed in “Modern Civil Engineering Heritage in Japan — 2,800 Important Existing Civil Engineering Structures,” published by the Committee on Historical Studies in Civil Engineering. The basic information for these bridges was extensively updated, and a “Historic Steel Bridge Search” website was developed and made available externally so that the information could be easily accessed from anywhere, not only by civil engineering professionals but also by the general public.
However, the survey found that more than 10% of these bridges (154 bridges) had already been removed, and many others are scheduled for removal or replacement. Continuous investigation and updating are therefore required. In addition, although the database currently contains 1,055 historic steel bridges, a considerable number of bridges have not yet been included and need to be added.
■Objectives of the Subcommittee
The purpose of this Subcommittee is to add data on newly identified historic steel bridges to the “Historic Steel Bridge Search” database and to update previously collected data.
■Subcommittee Activities
■Purpose of Establishment
The former Subcommittee on the Investigation of Historic Steel Bridges (1990–2002) conducted a systematic survey of the surviving condition of approximately 900 steel bridges, including iron bridges, that were fabricated and constructed over the approximately 90-year period from the beginning of the Meiji era to 1960, with the end of the riveted-bridge era regarded as one historical milestone. The resulting data were compiled as the “Historic Steel Bridge Database” and made publicly available on the JSCE website.
The “Subcommittee on Updating and Utilizing Historic Steel Bridge Data,” established in 2016, expanded the database to 1,055 historic steel bridges by adding approximately 150 bridges listed in “Modern Civil Engineering Heritage in Japan — 2,800 Important Existing Civil Engineering Structures,” published by the Committee on Historical Studies in Civil Engineering. The basic information for these bridges was extensively updated, and a “Historic Steel Bridge Search” website was developed and made available externally so that the information could be easily accessed from anywhere, not only by civil engineering professionals but also by the general public.
However, the survey found that more than 10% of these bridges (154 bridges) had already been removed, and many others are scheduled for removal or replacement. Continuous investigation and updating are therefore required. In addition, although the database currently contains 1,055 historic steel bridges, a considerable number of bridges have not yet been included and need to be added.
■Objectives of the Subcommittee
The purpose of this Subcommittee is to add data on newly identified historic steel bridges to the “Historic Steel Bridge Search” database and to update previously collected data.
■Subcommittee Structure
The following research and investigation activities will be conducted.
As a general rule, investigations of historic steel bridges will be divided among the members of the Subcommittee. The survey results will be reviewed and verified by the Subcommittee, and confirmed data will be promptly reflected in the database and made available for use.
Existing data on historic steel bridges will be updated, data on bridges not yet included will be added, and the developed database system will be maintained and managed.
As a means of continuously and efficiently updating historic steel bridge data, the Subcommittee will explore the establishment of a cooperative network involving JSCE members throughout Japan, including universities, local governments, and private companies. Contributions of data will also be encouraged from the general public, not only from JSCE members.
Because the data are published by JSCE, the accuracy, neutrality, and universality of the information will be examined. Information on bridges that have been dismantled or removed, as well as bridges that have been partially preserved, will also be collected and recorded.
■Activities
1st Subcommittee Meeting Agenda 2nd Subcommittee Meeting Agenda 3rd Subcommittee Meeting Agenda 4th Subcommittee Meeting Agenda 5th Subcommittee Meeting Agenda