Reliability analysis of prestressed concrete bridge girders: comparison of Eurocode, Spanish Norma IAP and AASHTO LRFD

The objective of this paper is to compare the reliability level of prestressed concrete bridge girders designed using three codes: Spanish Norma IAP-98 (1998), ENV 1991-3 Eurocode 1 (1994), and AASHTO LRFD (1998). Typical precast girders used in Spain are considered. Load and resistance parameters are treated as random variables. The statistical parameters are based on the available literature, test data and load surveys. Reliability indices are calculated by iterations. The results indicate that Eurocode is more conservative than the other two codes, and AASHTO LRFD is the most permissive code.

[1]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  TIME-VARYING RELIABILITY MODEL OF STEEL GIRDER BRIDGES , 1996 .

[2]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  CALIBRATION OF LRFD BRIDGE CODE , 1995 .

[3]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  Calibration of the Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code 1991 edition , 1994 .

[4]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  Live load model for highway bridges , 1993 .

[5]  M. A. Hirt.  Eurocode 1. Basis of design and actions on structures , 1993 .

[6]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  SIMULATION OF DYNAMIC LOAD FOR BRIDGES , 1991 .

[7]  Robert E. Melchers,et al.  Structural Reliability: Analysis and Prediction , 1987 .

[8]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  Load model for bridge design code , 1994 .

[9]  Sami W. Tabsh,et al.  Probabilistic Models for Resistance of Concrete Bridge Girders , 1994 .

[10]  Juan R. Casas,et al.  A comprehensive traffic load model for bridge safety checking , 1997 .

[11]  Sangjin Kim.  Bridge evaluation based on field measurements. , 1997 .

[12]  Palle Thoft-Christensen,et al.  Structural Reliability Theory and Its Applications , 1982 .

[13]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  Load Distribution and Impact Factors for I-Girder Bridges , 1997 .

[14]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  DYNAMIC LOAD SPECTRA FOR GIRDER BRIDGES , 1995 .

[15]  R. Rackwitz,et al.  Structural reliability under combined random load sequences , 1978 .

[16]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  Reliability of Structures , 2000 .

[17]  Bryan E. Little,et al.  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Highway Drainage Guidelines American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. LRFD Bridge Design Specifications , 2000 .

[18]  Andrzej S. Nowak,et al.  BRIDGE LIVE-LOAD MODELS , 1991 .