Reliability-Based Proof Load Factors for Assessment of Bridges

Advanced reliability assessment can be required when evaluating existing bridge structures through proof load testing. The target load of a proof load test typically requires input from resistance models; however, bridges with a low documentation level are often the most relevant for proof load test...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBuildings (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 1060
Main Authors Christensen, Christian Overgaard, Damsgaard, Kenneth Dahl Schiøttz, Sørensen, John Dalsgaard, Engelund, Svend, Goltermann, Per, Schmidt, Jacob Wittrup
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.04.2023
Subjects
Analysis
Book publishing
bridge assessment
Bridge loads
Bridges
Building codes
existing bridges
Legislation
Load
Load tests
Monitoring systems
proof load factor
proof load testing
Proof testing
Random variables
Reliability analysis
reliability assessment
Roads & highways
target load
Vehicles
Denmark
United States
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Summary:Advanced reliability assessment can be required when evaluating existing bridge structures through proof load testing. The target load of a proof load test typically requires input from resistance models; however, bridges with a low documentation level are often the most relevant for proof load testing, and resistance models thus involve significant uncertainties. This paper presents a different approach to proof loading and target proof load, in which the resistance model is not included in the determination of this load. Instead, the target proof load is determined based on load models coupled to the desired target failure probability, thus ensuring sufficient safety of the existing bridge. The method is in line with the proposal for a new Eurocode on assessment of existing structures and is deemed to be superior to existing approaches. An essential assumption of the method is that monitoring systems can identify stop criteria before irreversible damage occurs. The approach was applied in a case study, where an OT-slab bridge with a span of 6.5 m was proof-load-tested and reclassified for capacity upgrading of a road stretch in Denmark.
ISSN:2075-5309
2075-5309
DOI:10.3390/buildings13041060