# An Integral Fuzzy Model to Evaluate Slab and Beam Bridges with a Preventive Approach
## 5 Discussion
This methodology analyzes the individual properties of each element, enabling a more detailed assessment of current deterioration. However, some secondary elements, such as road signs, containment barriers, and pedestrian access, are not analyzed in terms of their properties. On the other hand, the methodology used in Peru considers nine elements for evaluating the bridge's condition, primarily focusing on primary elements, and includes an analysis of the external conditions of the area. However, only some properties of certain elements, such as road signs, abutments, and piers, are considered, resulting in a less detailed evaluation and less specific maintenance recommendations. In contrast, our evaluation model allowed us to inspect a total of nineteen elements, both primary and secondary, which make up the five components of the bridge: drainage, deck, superstructure, substructure, and conditions. The individual properties of each inspected element were analyzed, making it the most integral model among the manuals used in terms of the number of properties and elements considered in the bridge evaluation. All these methods include inspection and evaluation criteria manuals to record the deterioration observed in the field. These manuals provide descriptions to assign a rating that reflects the condition of the elements based on the criteria that best describe the identified deterioration. In the case of the SICT, AASHTO, and MTC manuals, each rating is accompanied by a set of characteristics that must fully match the present deterioration to assign that rating. The evaluator is responsible for determining the ratings that best categorize the observed damage. Similarly, our evaluation criteria manual also provides descriptions for classifying the condition of elements based on the identified deterioration. However, unlike the approach used in the SICT, AASHTO, and MTC manuals, our methodology offers flexibility by allowing the professional to assess the degree to which the observed damage aligns with the assigned rating. This enables the evaluator to determine the extent to which the condition defined for a given rating is actually present in the evaluated elements. Therefore, in our methodology, we incorporated hierarchical relationships between the bridge elements and their respective deteriorations. Thus, the final bridge rating becomes integral, meaning that not only is each element evaluated separately, but also deterioration in one element may affect or relate to those in other elements. Once ratings are assigned to the deterioration observed in the field, the SICT methodology proceeds to determine which bridge elements require maintenance and what maintenance actions are necessary. It is important to note that this process is carried out without establishing relationships between the deterioration of different bridge elements, resulting in a global bridge rating but not an integral one. Additionally, the SICT methodology opts to take maintenance actions on elements with significant deterioration; its approach is corrective, causing the maintenance actions that have to be carried out to incur an increased expense due to the progress of the deterioration that was not attended to. On the other hand, the AASHTO methodology is not limited to providing maintenance recommendations only for the most deteriorated elements, but also analyzes the condition of elements with minimal deterioration, allowing for preventive recommendations or determining that no intervention is necessary. Furthermore, recommendations are made at the level of individual properties, providing a high level of granularity that allows for precise attention to deterioration. However, one of the main limitations of the manual is that it does not consider all the elements and properties that make up the analyzed bridges. The impact of deterioration on important properties in elements such as slabs, beams, abutments, drainage systems, and seismic restraint devices is often overlooked.