CLIMATE-DRIVEN STRUCTURAL DETERIORATION MODELS FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGES: A CASE STUDY OF THE IMO RIVER BRIDGE, NIGERIA

Bridges in tropical environments are increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced deterioration, yet limited
localized studies exist to quantify the long-term impacts of climatic stressors on structural performance. This
research investigates the influence of climate variables on the potential deterioration of the Imo River Bridge, a
reinforced concrete structure in southern Nigeria. Daily meteorological data—including rainfall, temperature,
relative humidity, and wind speed—were extracted from the NASA POWER satellite database for a 30-year
period and analyzed to establish climatic trends relevant to material degradation. The analysis reveals significant
increases in annual rainfall and sustained periods of high relative humidity, conditions that accelerate
reinforcement corrosion, concrete cracking, and loss of structural serviceability. Comparative assessment with
literature-based deterioration models for tropical bridges indicates a critical research gap in predictive modeling
for Nigerian infrastructure under climate stress. This study therefore proposes a framework that integrates
climatic data with structural deterioration models to forecast service life and inform maintenance strategies. The
findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on climate-resilient infrastructure, offering practical
insights for policymakers, engineers, and asset managers in developing regions.