Effect of Spatially Variable Pitting Corrosion on Structural Reliability of Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders

Abstract Accelerated pitting corrosion tests have been performed to obtain maximum pit- depth data for prestressing 7-wire strands. This data is then used to develop probabilistic models of pitting corrosion and strand strength capacity. The probabilistic model of pitting corrosion is incorporated in a non-linear Finite Element Analysis to study the spatial and temporal effects of pitting corrosion on a typical pretensioned prestressed concrete bridge girder. The limit states considered are flexural strength and serviceability. The spatial time-dependent reliability analysis takes into account the uncertainties and variabilities related to material properties, dimensions, loads as well as the spatial variability of pitting corrosion of prestressing strands. Including the spatial variability of pitting corrosion in the reliability analysis increased both the probability of strength and serviceability failure when compared with a mid-span sectional analysis.