Bridge Failure Rate
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 29, Issue 3
Abstract
A regional bridge failure database was used to determine the bridge failure rate with associated causes. Using a sample population from one DOT over a 25-year period, the average number of bridge failures was approximately annually with a 95% confidence interval from to annually. The number of bridge failures per year was modeled with a geometric distribution that requires a constant failure rate. Based on a validation analysis with bridge failures from six separate DOTs, other DOTs have bridge failure rates within the determined sample population 95% confidence interval. Analysis of the failed bridges by year of construction shows no apparent era of construction that is more susceptible than another to failure. Correspondingly, the determined constant failure rate ascertained in the model selection indicates that the changes in bridge design specifications and maintenance regulations do not appear to have significantly reduced bridge failure rates. Based on the data extrapolation, the estimated average annual bridge failure rate in the United States is between 87 and 222 with an expected value of 128.
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Acknowledgments
Special thanks to W. Auyeung from the NYSDOT for communication about and use of the bridge failure data, as well as D. Goodfellow and the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s).
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 29 • Issue 3 • June 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 31, 2013
Accepted: Dec 26, 2013
Published online: Dec 28, 2013
Discussion open until: Jan 14, 2015
Published in print: Jun 1, 2015
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