Using visual inspection results to update reliability analyses of highway bridges and river lock structures

摘要

Time-dependent reliability analysis is increasingly used to predict structural performancernand develop an optimum lifetime maintenance strategy for structural systems. Many majorrnstructures also have systematic visual inspection programs to ensure public safety and prioritize thernuse of scarce maintenance funds. Although not designed for this purpose, it is possible in manyrncases to use the results of these visual inspections to update the reliability analysis of a structure.rnUsing specific examples, this paper illustrates how the visual inspection data on corrosion deteriorationrnfrom routine inspections can be used to update the time-dependent reliability of both highwayrnbridges and miter gate structures on locks.