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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Reliability updating of existing bridges based on proof loading

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2021

Submitted on

Pages

82

Abstract

This master's thesis examines how proof loading can be used to reassess the reliability of existing bridges. Proof loading is a controlled test load; if the bridge's resistance exceeds the applied load, the bridge is considered safe and the test successful. The first part reviews recent research and methods to show how reliability analysis can be used to safely utilize a bridge's capacity. A stochastic model (which represents uncertainty with random variables) is set up for a generic limit state equation (defining the boundary between safe performance and failure). Results are presented for EN 1990 consequence classes CC2 and CC3 (classes that reflect the consequences of failure). Using sensitivity measures, the study identifies which uncertain variables most influence the outcome and can be updated to improve the assessed reliability. Bayesian decision theory is then applied to update the reliability of an existing concrete bridge based on proof loading. The updated failure probabilities and corresponding reliability indices indicate which proof load level is needed to achieve sufficient safety. The thesis concludes with suggestions for future work.

Denne kandidatafhandling undersøger, hvordan bevislastning (proof loading) kan bruges til at revurdere pålidelighedsniveauet for eksisterende broer. Bevislastning er en kontrolleret prøvebelastning; hvis broens modstand er større end den påførte last, anses broen for sikker, og testen som vellykket. Første del giver en moderne oversigt over tidligere forskning og metoder for at vise, hvordan man med pålidelighedsanalyse kan udnytte broers kapacitet forsvarligt. En stokastisk model (der beskriver usikkerhed med tilfældige variabler) opstilles for en generisk grænsetilstandsligning (som angiver grænsen mellem sikkerhed og svigt). Resultaterne præsenteres for EN 1990's konsekvensklasser CC2 og CC3 (klasser, der afspejler følgerne af et eventuelt svigt). Med følsomhedsmål identificeres, hvilke usikre variabler der mest påvirker resultatet, og som derfor med fordel kan opdateres for at forbedre den vurderede pålidelighed. Dernæst anvendes Bayesiansk beslutningsteori til at opdatere pålideligheden for en eksisterende betonbro på baggrund af bevislastning. De opdaterede svigtsandsynligheder og tilhørende pålidelighedsindeks viser, hvilket bevislastniveau der kræves for at opnå tilstrækkelig sikkerhed. Afhandlingen afrundes med perspektiver for fremtidigt arbejde.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]