Towards a more rational approach for assessing and rating concrete bridges

摘要

This paper presents two new methodologies (one formal (NLFEM), the other approximate (CFPM)) which show clear differences often quite considerable - with regard to code predictions needed to assess and rate existing concrete bridges. The work has obvious implications in terms of both economy and safety, and can assist the engineer in reaching more rational and accurate decisions on the true structural capacity and mode of failure of a structure.