Abstract
Deterioration of bridges due to ageing and higher demands, induced by increased traffic load, require the development of effective maintenance policies and intervention strategies. Such concern should be aimed at ensuring the required levels of safety, while optimally managing the limited economic resources. This approach requires a transversal advance; from the element level, through the system level, all the way to the network level. At the same time intervention prioritisation based on the importance of the system (bridge) inside the network (e.g. highway), or of the single structural element inside the bridge is dependent. The first step in bridge condition assessment is the verification of safety and reliability requirements that is carried out using the traditional prescriptive (deterministic) approach or the current performance- based (probabilistic) approach. A critical issue for efficient management of infrastructures lies in the available knowledge on condition and performance of bridge asset. This information is obtained using a collection of significant Performance Parameters at one or more of the three levels (element, system, and network). Traditional techniques for estimation of Performance Parameters rely on already established visual inspection. However, a more reliable description of the system performance is obtained through Non-Destructive Testing and Structural Health Monitoring. Condition assessment essentially pertains to the check of compliance with Performance Goals and requires the definition and computation of Performance Indicators. They are calculated directly from Performance Parameters or from physical models calibrated using the Performance Parameters collected on the structure. Paper overviews the steps to bridge condition assessment regarding safety and reliability.
Highlights
Most of the roadway bridges, built before the adoption of modern principles of sustainable planning and seismic design, are approaching their design lifetime
Please note that the focus is given on the Performance Goals (PGs) of safety and reliability
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods aim in providing information on the structural condition, without harming the structure itself, i.e. in a non-invasive manner since they do not require samples of material taken from the structure
Summary
Most of the roadway bridges, built before the adoption of modern principles of sustainable planning and seismic design, are approaching their design lifetime. The volume and loading of the heavy freight vehicles, which they are carrying, are considerably larger than anticipated at the time of their construction In most cases, these bridges are structurally deficient and degraded due to the ageing effects and inadequately maintained (Figure 1). These bridges are structurally deficient and degraded due to the ageing effects and inadequately maintained (Figure 1) Reliable assessment of their safety to seismic and increased operational loads is required before deciding on their optimal management. In deciding on further remedial or rehabilitation measures, it is, necessary to look for solutions that follow the concept of intelligent maintenance Such actions are in this way optimally scheduled along the life cycle of the structure (Figure 2). Please note that the focus is given on the Performance Goals (PGs) of safety and reliability
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