50th ASEP Anniversary International Convention & Exposition, “Safer, Smarter & Greener”

Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines

EVALUATION OF MAJOR BRIDGES IN CAGAYAN VALLEY,

PHILIPPINES

Cesar B. Vallejo1, Susan C. Vallejo2 , Rodel V. Medestomas3

1
College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology, Isabela State University. Ilagan, Isabela,
Philippines, Email: (juliuscv13@yahoo.com.ph), Mobile No. (+63917) 4269695
2
College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology, Isabela State University. Ilagan, Isabela,
Philippines, Email: (sansuvallejo@yahoo.com.ph) Mobile No. (+63919) 8358868
3
School of Engineering and Architecture, St. Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya,
Mobile No. (+63920) 5535694

ABSTRACT: In Cagayan Valley, the major means of transportation is by land as it is a region

with solid mass of accessible land including its neighboring provinces with some exceptions
to those areas which by topographical reasons could not be reached by land transportation.
Major highways like that in Cagayan Valley Road depend on bridges to carry the roadway
along a logical alignment and the traveling public expects these bridges to be unfailingly safe
and durable. The primary reason therefore why this study was conducted is to determine the
conditions of the major bridges in Isabela section of the Cagayan Valley Road. This study
examined the different structural elements of those bridges such as Superstructure,
Substructure, and other appurtenances and the defects were noted. Data will be provided to
the four (4) Engineering Districts and the Provincial Government of Isabela and also in
Nueva Vizcaya as basis on what appropriate actions should be done regarding this matter.
Data were gathered by going to the different bridges in the different districts of the provinces
with the aid of digital cameras. Visual inspection and documentation of the environmental and
identified defects of the bridges during normal and critical times when possible were done at
the sites. In general, the defects sighted were spalling and scaling of concrete, cracks, eroded
embankments, corrosion and paint peel-off of steel members, scouring, pot holes and
honeycombs. Some of the bridge defects were caused by concrete expansion or contraction
due to change of weather, by passing vehicles and due to heavy traffic, and fatigue. Human
activities are also factors in the damage of these bridge structures. Among the bridges
evaluated 6 out of the 24 major bridges have the most number of serious defects. Some of the
recommendations made were: a wearing surface should be provided to the bridges with epoxy
bonding compound, the advisable wearing surface to be used may be made of latex modified
concrete or polymer modified concrete, the eroded embankment of the bridges must be
repaired immediately before the rainy season comes, the bridge should undergo retrofitting
measures to mitigate the effects of future earthquakes, the houses under the bridges should be
demolished to prevent the effect of heat to the bridges in case fire happens, and quarrying
operations should be done at a minimum distance of 500 meters from the bridges to prevent
scouring of bridge foundations.

KEYWORDS: bridge , superstructure, substructure, appurtenances,

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 50th ASEP Anniversary International Convention & Exposition, “Safer, Smarter & Greener”
Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines

1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction
As quoted by Reyes, Gragasi (2001) said that the whole stretch of Cagayan Valley Road from
Sta. Fe to San Luis, Diadi, the provincial boundary of Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela is the main
artery of transportation in the Nueva Vizcaya province. Likewise, the Cordon, Ilagan to San
Pablo and Cordon, San Mateo, Roxas To Enrile Cagayan are the main arteries of transportation
in the province of Isabela. It carries the volume of traffic from the province of Cagayan, Kalinga
and Apayao in the North and Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino in the South. It is also
linked with province of Ifugao by the Nueva Vizcaya-Mountain Province Road, with Pangasinan
by the Nueva Vizcaya-Pangasinan Road and with the province of Benguet by the Nueva Vizcaya-
Benguet Road. Major highways like Cagayan Valley Road depend on bridges to carry the
roadway along a logical alignment and the traveling public expects these bridges to be unfailingly
safe and durable. It is on this premise that this research was conducted to determine the
conditions of the major bridges in Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya section of the Cagayan Valley
Road.

1.1.1 Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to determine the conditions of the major bridges in the Isabela and Vizcaya
section of the Cagayan Valley Road.

Specifically, this study was conducted to examine the different structural elements of those
bridges such as substructure, superstructure, other appurtenances and the defects were noted. The
possible factors that may have caused the defects were also identified. Likewise, the sites around
the bridges were examined to identify the conditions that may have affected the bridges.

1.1.2 Importance of the Study

The findings of this study would be beneficial particularly to DPWH because they would be
provided with informations which will serve as basis for the future rehabilitation or maintenance
activities of these bridges.

The Civil engineering students will also be benefited by this study, especially those who are
taking Bridge Engineering and to the riding public for them to know the conditions of the bridges
that they are using. Furthermore, through this study, the riding public will be made aware of the
conditions of these bridges.

Finally, this study can also serve as resource material of the future researchers who will be
working on bridges.

1.1.3 Scope and Limitations

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Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines

This study covered the major bridges in the Isabela and Vizcaya sections of the Cagayan Valley
Road, like the Baretbet bridge, Naguilian bridge, Ganano bridge, and Tumauini bridge among
others.

Specifically, the study is limited only to the following defects of bridges namely: (a.) Material
defects, (b.)Hydrological defects and (c.) Structural defects. The current situation of the defects
after their repair due to natural calamities and other factors were also noted.

2. METHODOLOGY

In this study the researchers used the descriptive-evaluative method with the use of digital
camera as the foremost data gathering equipment. Visual inspection was done at the site and the
defects of the bridges during normal and critical times when possible were also documented.

3. FINDINGS

The following are the defects of bridges found by the researches.

3.1. Superstructure

The concrete deck-slab of many bridges have a fatigue-type of failure and surface deteriorations
like spalling and scaling that may lead to disintegration, cracks and abnormal spacing of slab.
The fatigue-type of failure and cracks were not yet repaired and so with concrete spallings. Some
have been repaired using asphalt through patching. There were few small and shallow pot holes,
and cracks were present in the deck of the bridges.

The concrete girders and diaphragms of some of the bridges have cracks, delaminations and
spalling.

The deck joints of some bridges were already destroyed.

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 50th ASEP Anniversary International Convention & Exposition, “Safer, Smarter & Greener”
Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines

Figure 1. Defects on the Superstructure of Bridges

3.2 Substructure

The abutment of Curilao Bridge and Calao I Bridge manifested surface cracks while that of the
other bridges were still in good conditions.

The piers of the some bridges manifested slight damages only except for Minanga and Malalam
bridges that have serious damage. The pier reinforcement of Minanga Bridge was already
exposed due to spalling while the bridge seat of Malalam developed cracks. On the other hand,
scouring of the base of bridge piers resulted in exposed piles.

The embankment of some bridges were damaged due to the sinking or settlement of soil fill
while the others were still in good condition. Cracks on these embankments were observed due
to settlement.

Figure 2. Defects on the Substructure of Bridges

3.3 Appurtenances

The railings and posts of some of the bridges were destroyed due to cracking and spalling. Some
were with exposed reinforcement. The other bridges with steel railings were also defective due
to distortion and loss of some of its parts.

The utilities of some of the bridges were made of PVC and GI pipes that carry water and
telephone lines and some were still in good condition.

The bridges do not have lighting appurtenances. If signages are present these are just on the load

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Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines

capacity of the bridges.

Figure 3. Defects on the Appurtenances of the Bridges

3.4 Factors that Caused the Defects

The bridge defects were commonly caused by concrete expansion or contraction due to change of
weather, maybe due to weight of passing vehicles, and perhaps fatigue. Action of water is also a
great factor in the scouring of the base of bridge piers as well as their abutments. Weight of
heavy trucks greater than the capacity of old bridges greatly affect the bridges that carry them.
Human activities also are factors in these bridge defects.

4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Conclusions

In view of the foregoing findings, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. In general, the bridge defects observed were spalling and scaling of concrete, cracks, eroded
embankment, corrosion and paint peel-off of steel members, scouring, pot holes and
honeycombs.

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 50th ASEP Anniversary International Convention & Exposition, “Safer, Smarter & Greener”
Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines

2. The bridge defects were caused by concrete expansion or contraction due to change of
weather, weight of passing vehicles, perhaps fatigue, and action of water.

3. The joints of the bridges may have been caused by heavy traffic.

4. Human activities also caused damages to the structure.

5. The Minanga, Gamu, Mallig, Siffu, Paza and Upi bridges had the most number of serious
defects.

4.2 Recommendations

In the light of the aforementioned findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were
made:

1. A wearing surface should be provided to the bridges with cracks and they must be treated with
epoxy bonding compound. One advisable wearing surface to be used maybe made of latex
modified concrete or polymer modified concrete. LMC/PMC is composed of cement, aggregates
and latex emulsion admixture. This type of wearing surface provides a surface which is less
porous, enhance the ability of an overlay to adhere to the existing concrete slab and resist thermal
forces caused by fluctuations.

2. The eroded embankment of the bridges must be replaced or repaired depending on the nature
of the defect.

3. The bridge should undergo retrofitting measures to prevent serious damage later on.

4. The houses under the bridges should be demolished to prevent the effect of heat to the bridges
in case fire happens. It has been found out that fire reduces the strength of concrete.

5. Quarrying operations should be done at a minimum distance of 500 meters from the bridges.

6. The National Government should provide enough funds for DPWH for the regular inspection,
maintenance and rehabilitation of the different bridges in their areas of responsibility.

7. The agencies concerned should be very strict in monitoring the vehicles passing these bridges.
They should make sure that no vehicle will pass a bridge beyond its capacity, otherwise it will be
destroyed easily.

8. Future researchers should also consider excessive deflections and abnormal sounds emanating
from the structure.

9. Injection of epoxy bonding compound should be done to the cracks found in the abutment and
piers whenever applicable.

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Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines

REFERENCES

History of federal bridge inspection program. Retrieved October 7, 2009

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/bridgenspectiondefs.pdf

NDT resource center. Bridge inspection. Retrieved October 6, 2009

http://www.ndted.org/AbountNDT/SelectedApplications/Bridge_Inspection/Bridge_Inspection.htm

Phares, B.M., Rolander, D.D., Graybeal, B.A., Washer, G.A., (2000). Studying the reliability of bridge
inspection. Retrieved October 6, 2009 http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/marapr01/bridge.htm

Reyes, T.L., Causes Of Congestion Of The Surrounding Streets Of Solano Public Market And The
Corresponding Generic Solutions, SMU-PEAR, Vol. 3 2006-2007, SMU Publishing.

Tonias, D.E., Zhao, J.J., (2007) Bridge Engineering: Design, Rehabilitation, & Maintenance Of
Modern Highway Bridges, McGraw Hill, United States
Yanev, Bejidar, (2007) Bridge Management, John Wiley & Sons, United States

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr. Cesar B. Vallejo is an Associate Professor 5 in the College of Engineering, Architecture and
Technology at the Isabela State University, Ilagan, Isabela Philippines. He finished his Master in Civil
Engineering (Structural) from De La Salle University, Manila. He is also an active member of ASEP and
PICE. He may be contacted at ISU, Ilagan, Isabela. Tel/Fax: 078-622 3114. E-mail:
juliuscv13@yahoo.com.ph

Dr. Susan Cebu-Vallejo is the Chair of the Civil Engineering Department of Isabela State University,
Ilagan Campus. She is an active Vice President of the PICE Isabela Chapter

Engr. Rodel V. Medestomas is also a Civil Engineering professor and Chair of the Graduate School of
Engineering at Saint Mary’s University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. He is also an active member of
PICE and one of the Board of Directors of the ACEEP.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank our Civil Engineering students, Jose P. Maltu Jr., Valient Canceran,
Romel C.Cabalbal, Clifton M. Manuel, and Dionicio E. Mendoza Jr. who helped us in gathering the data
necessary to complete this study.

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