FORECASTING LIFETIME SAFETY AND SERVICEABILITY FOR MANAGEMENT OF A NETWORK OF HIGHWAY BRIDGES IN COLORADO

A probabilistic framework forecasting the lifetime safety and serviceability of a network of highway bridges located along U.S. Highway 36 in Colorado is presented. In addition to performing a live load rating analysis for each bridge, performance functions defining the failure conditions for superstructure components are derived, in terms of both the ultimate strength and the serviceability limit states, using load and capacity requirements defined by AASHTO specifications. The performance functions are established by grouping the random variables and constant parameters in such a way that the formulas are applicable to any type of bridge having similar superstructure components. Thus, the developed performance functions are applicable to other similar bridges, which creates the possibility of evaluating a larger number of bridges in a wider network area, such as a transportation region within the state of Colorado. Using the developed performance functions, initial reliability indices have been determined for the components of the selected highway bridges. By defining the potential failure of the superstructure through a system model, a system reliability index is calculated for each bridge. Resulting component and system reliability indices are compared with the corresponding load ratings of the bridges. A time-varying truckload model and a material degradation model are used to determine the reliability indices of each bridge component and system over the bridge's lifetime. Both safety and serviceability of each bridge are observed over its lifetime based on the predicted load increase and strength reduction. The resulting reliability profiles form the basis for a network-level management planning study for a group of similar bridges that is based on structural reliability.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec049.pdf
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• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Akgul, F
  • Frangopol, D M
• Conference:
  • 9th International Bridge Management Conference
  • Location: Orlando, Florida
  • Date: 2003-4-28 to 2003-4-30
• Publication Date: 2003-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 323-334
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: E-C049
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge superstructures; Forecasting; Highway bridges; Live loads; Load factor; Safety; Serviceability; Ultimate strength
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge management; Reliability indices; Structural reliability
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00941394
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: E-C049,, IBMC03-036, IBMC03-041
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 21 2003 12:00AM