Time-variant reliability profiles for steel girder bridges

Evaluation of existing steel bridges becomes more important due to natural aging, increasing load spectra, deterioration caused by corrosion, and other problems. In the result, bridge structures exposed to aggressive environmental conditions are subjected to time-variant changes of resistance. Therefore, there is a need for evaluation procedures for an accurate prediction of the load carrying capacity and reliability of bridge structures, in order to make rational decisions about repair, rehabilitation, and expected life-cycle costs. The objective of this paper is to develop time-variant reliability models for steel girder bridges. Traditional methods based on deterministic analysis do not reveal the actual load carrying capacity of the structure. The proposed approach is based on reliability analysis of components and structural systems. The study involves the selection of representative structures, formulation of limit state functions, development of load models, development of resistance models for corroded steel girders, development of the reliability analysis method, reliability analysis of selected bridges, and development of the time-dependant reliability profiles including deterioration due to corrosion. The results of the study can be used for a better prediction of the service life of deteriorating steel girder bridges, and development of optimal reliability-based maintenance strategies. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.