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Abstract
This thesis aims to identify vulnerable bridge elements in Georgia to weather stressors including precipitation, snow, cold and hot temperature, and proximity to the coast. The research involves the use and analysis of the National Bridge Inventory Element (NBI), National Bridge Inventory Element (NBIE), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, as well as Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) bridge inspection reports available between 2015 and 2022. The analysis results are used as a flagging mechanism for identifying vulnerable elements whereas inspection reports are used to provide descriptive details of each element in order to bridge the gap between implicit and explicit information pertained in the data and inspection reports. Additionally, this study aims to help counties better understand how bridge elements perform over time when exposed to the stressors and better anticipate implications for maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement decisions. The preliminary findings indicate that inspection reports allow richer qualitative insights than the aggregate data. It is concluded that precipitation is the most apparent stressor correlating vulnerable elements with deterioration, especially when left unaddressed. The main deliverable includes a resource guide for counties which provides vulnerable geographic locations and bridge elements, as well as highlights the need for preemptive maintenance actions related to weather stressors and shows how inactivity results in significant cost to local governments.