Decision Support System for Optimizing the Maintenance of RC Girder Bridge Superstructures in Consideration of the Carbon Footprint

Abstract

AbstractRapid technological advancements and increasing emphasis on sustainability have provided bridge managers with more opportunities and challenges than ever before. This study presents a decision support system developed to optimize the maintenance/repair management of RC bridge superstructures through advanced technology solutions, with the goal of improving structural safety and serviceability while minimizing the lifecycle cost and environmental impact. In the proposed system, a structural performance assessment module is incorporated with information techniques and sensor networks to achieve intelligent real-time perception, a structural failure risk analysis module is provided that is based on stochastic simulation approaches, and a carbon footprint control module is provided that is based on the lifecycle carbon emission track. Three maintenance strategies based on the different principles are compared through the case study of an existing urban bridge. An optimized maintenance/repair plan deci...