Risk matrixes as environmental management tools

Abstract

Within the framework of a broader project, the vulnerability to climate change of roadworks of art (bridges and culverts) was analyzed. A hydrological study was done; a set of preselected bridges and culverts was characterized. A methodology was proposed to work with risk matrices in order to determine an investment prioritization criterion from this point of view. This methodology was applied to the preselected set of bridges and culverts intended to have higher vulnerability to climate change (because of their years in service, their design, current scour depth, and so on). The proposed methodology was implemented in detail in two specific cases and turned out to be robust and easy to apply.