The aims of this study are to investigate the effect of corrosion on the load-carrying capacity of stiffened steel box girder bridges and to formulate a repair schedule using reliability-based approaches for such bridges as they age. A credible scenario for a corroded steel box section is estimated. Corrosion rates and their probabilistic characterization are calculated based on the available data. A probabilistic model of ultimate box girder strength is established based on an analytical formula that considers corrosion-related time-dependent strength degradation. The results generated with this model may be useful in the development of an optimized and accurate maintenance and repair schedule for existing steel box girder bridges.
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