Decision-making on economic maintenance of earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete structures
It is necessary to repair or reinforce earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete structures during their service time since their safety performance may gradually deteriorate due to environmental factors such as concrete carbonation, steel erosion, natural aging, or earthquake damage. This paper adopts a benefit-cost analysis and puts forward an economic decision-making method on preventive maintenance, pre-earthquake reinforcement, and post-earthquake repair and dismantling of structures, with consideration to earthquake damage accumulation, natural aging, and durability damage. It is of crucial theoretical significance and application value to the decision-making on the maintenance of structures.
Lifetime Bridge Maintenance Strategies Based on System Reliability
This study proposes a methodology for a system reliability-based condition evaluation of existing highway bridges. The approach is illustrated for an existing steel bridge located in Colorado, USA....
Analysis on the bearing capability life of existing reinforced concrete structures
There are many reasons which may affect the residual life of existing reinforced concrete structures.The bearing capacity limit state resulted from the recession of structural performance is the main reason of the failure of structures.Due to the randomicity of environment and uncertainty of material property,the residual life of structure becomes stochastic.Using reliability theory and considering the attenuation of structural resistance,the authors use the permitted reliability index for different degree of structures as standard of bearing capability failure and establish the full stochastic process reliability model.The calculated method and its steps of residual life under the bearing capability state of existing reinforced concrete structures are proposed.The instance shows this method in engineering is practical.