Updating Bridge Reliability Based on Bridge Management Systems Visual Inspection Results
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 8, Issue 6
Abstract
Bridge management systems have become increasingly sophisticated over the past decade and provide valuable information about the structural condition of all bridges in the national database. At the same time, reliability methods have gained increasing prominence and are used to forecast life-cycle performance over many decades of structural life. Such reliability analyses need to be updated based on the results of inspections. Specifically targeted nondestructive evaluations are the preferred solution, but are not always available for every bridge. This paper examines how the visual inspection data provided from bridge management systems already in place can be used to update the reliability of a bridge. The limitations and necessary modifications to current practice are discussed. The superstructure of a Colorado highway bridge deteriorating due to corrosion is used as an example.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 8 • Issue 6 • November 2003
Pages: 374 - 382
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 26, 2002
Accepted: Jan 29, 2003
Published online: Oct 15, 2003
Published in print: Nov 2003
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