| dc.description.abstract | The objective of this study is to develop methodologies to estimate and predict the
fragility of deteriorating reinforced concrete (RC) bridges, and to identify the effect of
design and construction parameters on the reliability of RC bridges over time to assist in
the design and construction process.
To accurately estimate the fragility of deteriorating bridge, probabilistic capacity
and demand models are developed. In addition, to simplify the calculation cost
maintaining accuracy, fragility increment functions are developed. The proposed
fragilities account for model uncertainties in the structural capacity, demand models,
corrosion models. Furthermore, proper account is made of the uncertainties in the
environmental conditions, material properties, and structural geometry. To identify the
effect of design and construction parameters on the reliability of RC bridges, a
sensitivity and importance analysis is conducted. Sensitivity analysis for an example
bridge subject to corrosion is carried out to identify which parameters have the largest
impact on the reliability over time. This dissertation considers different combinations of
chloride exposure condition, environmental oxygen availability, water-to-cement ratios, and curing conditions, which affect the reliability of bridges over time. The developed
models are applicable to both existing and new RC bridges and may be employed for the
prediction of service-life and life-cycle cost analysis of RC bridges. | en |
