A methodology for the assessment of the structural behaviour of concrete bridges

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 1996

Authors

António Abel Henriques (Author) FEUP; Francisco Calheiros (Author) FEUP; Joaquim Figueiras (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Bridge Management 3. Inspection, Maintenance, Assessment and Repair

Pages: 138-146

Third International Conference on Bridge Management

University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, 14-17 April, 1996

Other information

Abstract (EN): Recent years have witnessed a significant development in structural models of analysis and in structural reliability techniques. The proper combination of the two approaches is a work to be done. The difficulties encountered in the design methodology are well demonstrated in the recent published structural codes, Eurocode 2 and CEB-FIP Model Code 1990. They specify the use of non-linear methods of analysis as an alternative and as a reference for other more simplified approaches, however, an adequate code format for checking the structural safety when dealing with this kind of methods is not established. The methodology for the verification of structural safety described in this work is based on a probabilistic approach with a general application to any type of structural methods of analysis, especially non-linear analysis. The ultimate strength characteristics of materials, the geometric imperfections and the loads, are simulated according to stochastic techniques. The uncertainty of structural response is given by the non-linear analysis taking into account the variability of the parameters. Through statistical analysis it is possible to interpret the effects of the parameter variability on the global structural behaviour and to evaluate the risk of failure.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9