Application of Fuzzy Sets for Remaining Life Assessment of Corrosion Affected Reinforced Concrete Bridge Girders

Abstract

A methodology for remaining life assessment of reinforced concrete bridge girders affected by chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement is proposed. The uncertainties in the values of the parameters characterizing the environment and, the variables affecting the time to corrosion initiation, and the rate of corrosion propagation are taken into account by treating them as fuzzy variables. The usefulness of the proposed methodology is illustrated through a case study, by comparing the times to reach different damage levels for a severely distressed beam, of Rocky Point Viaduct, determined using the proposed methodology with the observations from the field investigations. It is noted that the predicted times are in satisfactory agreement with the reported values. Hence, the methodology will be useful for the scheduling of inspections for reinforced concrete girders subjected to chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement.