Bayesian assessment of an existing bridge: a case study. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jacinto, Luciano; Neves, Luís Canhoto; Santos, Luís Oliveira
• Is Part Of: Structure and infrastructure engineering. Volume 12:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: existing bridges -- probabilistic assessment -- Bayesian updating -- statistical uncertainty -- predictive model; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Buildings -- Performance -- Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1080/15732479.2014.995105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1573-2479

Abstract

Abstract : This article presents a case study involving the assessment of an existing bridge, starting with simple methods and ending with a probabilistic analysis, the latter emphasising Bayesian methods. When assessing an existing bridge, it is common practice to collect information from the bridge in the form of samples. These samples are in general of small size, raising the question of how the corresponding statistical uncertainty can be taken into account on reliability estimates. The case study illustrates how Bayesian methods are especially suitable to deal with that source of uncertainty. Another strong point of the Bayesian methods is their ability to combine the information contained in the samples collected from the bridge with prior information, if any. This aspect will also be illustrated through the case study.