Tribology applied on the bridges of the causeway to Cayo Coco

Abstract

Bridges are an important part of a road network because they can cause the stoppage of traffic if they cannot keep the continuity of the road. Traditionally, the most common within the field of Tribology is the study of mechanical elements such as bearings and gears. This science covers those situations in which an interaction between two or more elements is present. The elements can be of different materials and found in different states. The selected tribological system is formed by the approaches of the bridges and the sea streams that occur due to a very specific phenomenon of the region. Water, due to its liquid state, generates a minimal lubrication that helps to reduce friction until the referenced limit of the speed of sea streams. The proper understanding of the system becomes necessary to mitigate the consequences of the erosion to the approaches due to the wear produced by such streams.A bibliographic search was conducted on the effects of sea streams on bridge approaches and their tribological relation. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the need of understanding the tribological system in order to mitigate the consequences of the erosion of the approaches due to the effect of sea streams. Knowing such relation will allow us to take preventive measures to mitigate the erosion on bridge approaches.