Title: Sensitivity Analysis of Damaged Concrete Bridge Girders

Author(s): Sami W. Tabsh

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 133

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 187-206

Keywords: bridge girders; bridges (structures); cracking (fracturing); corrosion; deterioration; fatigue (materials); flexural strength; strength; loads (forces); reliability; spalling; Structural Research

DOI: 10.14359/2875

Date: 9/1/1992

Abstract:
Concrete bridges in the United States constitute about fifty percent of the total number of highway bridges. Recent studies indicate that many of these bridges deteriorate due to age, corrosion of reinforcement, fatigue, cracking and spalling of concrete, and/or human error. Limited funds are available for rehabilitation, strengthening, and replacement. Therefore, there is a need for methods to identify the parts of concrete girder bridges most sensitive to damage using reliability models. This may help lower the costs of checking, inspection, and repair. Load and resistance sensitivity functions for the ultimate flexural capacity limit state of simply supported bridge girders are included. The study indicates that the reliability of bridge girders depends mostly on the strength and location of steel.