Reliability analysis of a bridge network in Ireland

Abstract

This paper presents the reliability analysis of a network of six bridges in Ireland, with a focus on the sensitivity analysis and the analysis of parameter importance measures. The basis of the analysis stems from the possibility of investigating similarities in various parameters, leading to the establishment of network-level indicators based on fully probabilistic assessments. Initially, deterministic assessments are carried out on these bridges to verify the limit states, and a detailed probabilistic analysis is conducted, taking uncertainty in relation to the available information into account. Parametric importance measures are established across the network, and patterns identified from these studies suggest the potential for reliability-based network calibrations of bridge structures. This paper is expected to encourage a greater sharing of network-level information of the owners and managers of bridges.