BRIDGE RELIABILITY EVALUATION USING LOAD TESTS

System reliability analysis is performed for bridge structures and the calculations combine the safety analysis with load test data. Two cases are considered; prior tests and after tests. In the former, the parameters of load and resistance are determined from the available references. Test data are used to modify the prior models. In particular, this load modification concerns the load distribution factors and ultimate strength. The actual load carrying capacity of the bridge can be evaluated more accurately by treating the structure as a system of elements. Procedures are available to calculate the reliability indices of various parellel or series systems. However, it is difficult to include partial correlations between the elements. The approach is illustrated on an example of a steel truss bridge.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339445
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Nowak, A S
  • Tharmabala, T
• Publication Date: 1988-10

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 2268-79
• Serial:
  • Journal of Structural Engineering
  • Volume: 114
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9445
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/loi/jsendh

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Bridges; Load tests; Load transfer; Metal bridges; Safety; Steel bridges; Structural analysis; Structural mechanics; Truss bridges; Ultimate strength
• Uncontrolled Terms: Structural adequacy; Structural behavior
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00476262
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 30 1988 12:00AM