Abstract
This paper presents a review of bridge failure statistics, based on literature survey and webbased search, focusing on metallic bridges. Failure cases are distinguished between those resulting in bridge collapse and those that have not reached collapse but resulted in loss of serviceability. Classification of the most common failure causes and modes of failure is undertaken. Statistics regarding the time frame of collapses in the bridge lifetime, bridge structural configuration and the number of resulting casualties are presented. The results show that collapses due to natural hazards, design errors and limited knowledge are the most commonly encountered in metallic bridges, followed by accidents and human error. When analysed chronologically, the data demonstrates a decreasing trend for collapses attributed to limited knowledge and an increasing trend in failures resulting from accidents and natural hazards. In terms of non-collapse cases, fatigue failures are found to be predominant. The paper concludes with a discussion of bridge failure consequences and their significance in risk assessment of bridge structures.