ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: It is of great importance that the huge investments that are made in the infrastructure can be utilized during the entire lifetime of the structures. To reach this, finite element (FE) analysis has become an important tool for improved bridge assessment and maintenance based on realistic modelling of the structural response. Non-linear FE analysis has successfully been used to prove higher load carrying capacities for a number of Swedish bridges. However, in a FE model of a bridge, there are a lot of uncertainties, e.g. regarding boundary conditions and constraints between different parts of the structure. By performing field tests and measurements, many of these uncertainties can be limited using structural verification to update the structural model. In a research project at Chalmers University of Technology, methods are developed for improved assessment and maintenance of bridges by means of FE analysis with model updating from field tests and measurements.
