Reliability of Girder Bridges

Bridge load and resistance parameters involve a considerable degree of uncertainty. Therefore, the reliability analysis can be used to quantify the risk. There has been a considerable research activity in the area of structural reliability in the last two decades. There are methods available for calculation of the probability of failure for components of buildings, bridges and other structures. They are summarized in several books (e.g. Thoft-Christensen and Baker 1982; Ang and Tang 1986; Madsen, Krenk and Lind 1986; Melchers 1987). For given statistical models of loads and resistance the available methodology provides accurate results. Structural safety was evaluated for bridge components (e.g. Nowak and Grouni 1990).