Abstract
Major deterioration mechanisms for infrastructure systems such as bridges, tunnels and dams are chloride initiated corrosion of reinforced concrete and fatigue damage in steel structures. Corrosion of the reinforcement is a significant problem for a large number of reinforced concrete structures since it can result in very expensive maintenance and repair actions. Furthermore, a substantial decrease of the load-bearing capacity may occur leading to an unacceptable level of safety for the structure. One mode of corrosion initiation is that the chloride content around the reinforcement exceeds a critical threshold value. In the present paper a statistical model is described by which the chloride content in a reinforced concrete structure can be predicted. The model is used in reliability-based inspection and maintenance planning for concrete structures. For steel structures a simplified and generic approach for risk-based inspection planning of fatigue sensitive structural details is described. Fatigue sensitive details are categorized according to their Fatigue Design Factor (FDP) and SN curve. Using a fracture mechanics model calibrated on a probabilistic basis to the appropriate SN-curve, cost-optimal inspection and repair planning can be performed. The procedure is illustrated by an example that considers inspection planning of welded longitudinal stiffeners in steel bridges.
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