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Abstract

Bridge components are subjected to deterioration factors such as aggressive environment, corrosion, chemical attack etc. that can result in a loss of load capacity and life span. In order to keep the safety of the bridge at an appropriate level inspection regimes are followed.

This thesis concern is to establish an adaptive inspection regime for reinforced short to medium span concrete bridges. Our emphasis is mainly on using the information about the deterioration progress to determine efficient inspection regime.

An updatable structural deterioration model that follows the inspection outcomes is developed. A stationary continuous Gamma process is used to develop the structural deterioration model. In order to predict the deterioration profile of bridge slab, deterioration process of a reinforced concrete slab subject to corrosion is modeled using Gamma process through the thesis. Inspection outcomes at specific ages are used to update the deterioration model. The updated deterioration model reflects the latest condition of component at inspection time. Different deterioration condition such as initiation time and deterioration rate are considered in thesis and influence of deterioration condition on deterioration process is represented.

Initially it is assumed that the observed inspection outcomes are perfect. It is identified that the inspection outcomes are associated with uncertainties. In order to characterize the probability of detection and measurement error as inspection outcomes uncertainties, the probabilistic model is implemented. A new probabilistic framework is developed to take into account uncertainties associated with inspection outcomes. The deterioration model is applied following the actual inspection outcomes to reflect the influence of the inspection outcomes uncertainties. Finally a new adaptive inspection regime is established based on the actual deterioration profile. An efficient inspection regime is established as result. The novel probabilistic method is highly flexible and can be implemented in different countries with different environments.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	T Technology > TG Bridge engineering
Departments:	Doctoral Theses School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses School of Science & Technology > Engineering

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