Standard and advanced practices in the assessment of existing bridges. Issue 4 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cremona, Christian; Poulin, Benoît
• Is Part Of: Structure and infrastructure engineering. Volume 13:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 428
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Existing bridges -- structural assessment -- reliability analysis -- partial factors; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Buildings -- Performance -- Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1080/15732479.2016.1164731
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1573-2479

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, the condition of deficient bridges has reached such a level that the volume of required repair actions becomes significant for many countries. As budgets for maintenance, repair and rehabilitation are always limited and demands are constantly increasing, to find an optimal balance between cost and safety is today a new trend in bridge maintenance. Optimising bridge maintenance and management is a strong expectation for owners and stakeholders facing ageing bridge stocks and increasing aggressive traffic. In this context, the assessment of the structural performance may be necessary for various reasons thorough its lifetime. In France, there are no standards or regulations for structural assessment of existing structures. The studies on a new Eurocode standard for the 'Evaluation and rehabilitation of existing structures' are just starting and it will be published in several years. For this reason, the French Ministry of Transport has decided to develop recommendations for the assessment of the structural performance of existing bridges. In a first part, the paper summarises today's practice in France, but it also details the ongoing calibration process for setting appropriate partial factors for existing bridges. Implementation is given as example for the assessment of reinforced concrete slabs.