In The Reliability Assessment Of Existing Bridge And Reinforcement Program Optimization Study

Reliability assessment is the preceding work of the maintenance and strengthening of existing bridges. According to results of the assessment, it can be decided whether the structure needs maintenance and strengthening or not. The reasonable strengthening scheme can save a lot of investment, and at the same time the most effective scheme can be obtained.In this paper, two methods and the development direction of reliability assessment are introduced. Many complicated factors which influence the effect of the strengthening are analyzed and the two-level appraisal index system is established. The types and levels of the index are defined, therefore proper assessment index can be chosen. Using the theories of fuzzy appraisal and fuzzy decision, mathematics model for the optimization of strengthening scheme is set up and applied to strengthening of used bridges .The difficulty of the determination of the weight of each factor can be overcome. Finally, the model is verified in a practical example of strengthening.Reliability assessment and choice of strengthening schemes both are key procedures in the strengthening of the bridges in service. The research can be given reference to the scientific management of bridges, and it has large economical benefits and broad future in practical engineering.