Verification of the Framework for Risk-Based Bridge Inspection

Abstract

This paper presents two case studies that were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a new, risk-based inspection (RBI) method. The overall objectives of the case studies were to demonstrate the implementation of the methodology and to verify the effectiveness of RBI analysis for determining suitable inspection intervals for highway bridges. Expert elicitations were conducted to develop risk-based data models for RBI analysis for two families of bridges. These data models were used to assign inspection intervals for bridges ranging from 12 to 72 months. A new backcasting method was developed and used to analyze the effectiveness of these data models for identifying suitable inspection intervals. The results of the backcasting procedures verified that the RBI approach determined suitable inspection intervals for the sample bridges assessed through the research.