Performance of Bridge Materials by Structural Deficiency Analysis

Abstract

The diagnostic concept of the structural deficiency of bridges is an essential engineering and management consideration with implications of performance. The structural deficiency analysis reflects the constructed system performance at the serviceability limit states. This paper analyzes trends in the structural deficiency of bridge inventory on the basis of material kind. A multiple-criteria diagnostic approach defines measures for condition, durability, and longevity performances and determines the overall equivalent performance. Thus, the structural performance levels reflect the structural reliability and vulnerability indices for bridge serviceability. The application of the approach analyzes the raw database of the entire bridge inventory in the United States. This comprehensive operational experience provides a national network-level comparative basis. The comparison suggests a relative need for improvements in one or more areas, such as design details or maintenance level, to increase the desirability of bridge construction materials. The results support more objective bridge management and decision making on distribution of funds, updating of policies, perfection of practices, and trade-off analyses for design, construction, maintenance, and replacement.