Understanding of engineering significance of heritage bridges

There are more than 30 bridges located along the Han River in Korea since the first steel Han River rail bridge built in 1900. Almost each bridge is marked by its own engineering design style. This bridge construction has played a major role in leading the modern and contemporary engineering history while providing pivotal moments toward the urban development. Very recently the first steel Han River railroad bridge was nominated as registered cultural heritage at the national level in 2006. However, all the bridges cannot be remained intact after long years, but must be exposed to some changes or even to the destruction. Therefore, some preservation axioms must be prepared prior to altering the bridge structures. This study has focused on the development of maintenance strategy for modern heritage bridges from the point of preservation of engineering technology. Since different types of structural systems need of different maintenance technology, the bridge types are first classified according to structural system. For each group, together with historical significance, the engineering significance has been investigated considering how it has been implemented among the bridges of the same group. In this study, the engineering significance for truss types whose application was applied for the 1st modern bridge in Korea has been detailed. Then some issues regarding the preservation of engineering significance are identified in the context of cultural heritage management process. It is expected that this study will help develop management plan for modern heritage bridges considering both their historic and engineering significance.