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 limitedlocalized studies exist to quantify the long-term impacts of climatic stressors on structural performance. Thisresearch investigates the influence of climate variables on the potential deterioration of the Imo River Bridge, areinforced 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-yearperiod and analyzed to establish climatic trends relevant to material degradation. The analysis reveals significantincreases in annual rainfall and sustained periods of high relative humidity, conditions that acceleratereinforcement corrosion, concrete cracking, and loss of structural serviceability. Comparative assessment withliterature-based deterioration models for tropical bridges indicates a critical research gap in predictive modelingfor Nigerian infrastructure under climate stress. This study therefore proposes a framework that integratesclimatic data with structural deterioration models to forecast service life and inform maintenance strategies. Thefindings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on climate-resilient infrastructure, offering practicalinsights for policymakers, engineers, and asset managers in developing regions.