The quality of the assessment on the basis of the results from a visual bridge inspection depends significantly on the qualification, knowledge, experience and sense of responsibility of the bridge inspector. The results are subjective, and any defect or damage which is acertained can only be assessed with regard to quality. For this reason a probabilistic method based on reliability theory has been developed for reinforced concrete bridges to aid the bridge inspector in the assessment of damage with regard to the influence to the load-bearing capacity. Stochastic models for the changed material parameters of the concrete and the reinforcing steel as well as for the modified geometric dimensions have been developed. On the basis of the various ultimate limit states for the failure of a concrete cross-section, new dimensionless limit states have been formulated to allow a general assessment of the load-bearing capacity of damaged concrete bridges with the help of diagrams. The bridge inspector assesses the damage conditions following the familiar method according to RI-EBW-PRÜF with 5 categories. In the new damage assessment categories for stability, the stochastic models of the basic variables for each category of damage have been deposited for the reliability analysis. After entering the damage conditions into a software tool, the user receives a proposal for any required use restrictions which might apply. The method allows the improved assessment of a damaged reinforced concrete bridge with respect to the load-bearing capacity based on the results of a visual bridge inspection. The method is shown with an example.
«The quality of the assessment on the basis of the results from a visual bridge inspection depends significantly on the qualification, knowledge, experience and sense of responsibility of the bridge inspector. The results are subjective, and any defect or damage which is acertained can only be assessed with regard to quality. For this reason a probabilistic method based on reliability theory has been developed for reinforced concrete bridges to aid the bridge inspector in the assessment of damage...
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