ABSTRACT
This paper describes the life-cycle analysis of highway bridge networks subjected to overweight traffic loads required to meet a predetermined risk threshold. The objective of the life-cycle analysis is focused on the risk to the entire network of bridges. The risk to the network is initially evaluated based on the current condition of bridges and then the life-cycle analysis is performed to determine bridge design criteria that meet a desired risk threshold. The deterioration rate of bridges over time is extracted from National Bridge Inventory (NBI) data. The risk to the network is monitored as the deterioration of bridges progresses over the years. Maintenance takes place when the risk reaches a predefined threshold. The paper compares the results of the proposed life-cycle risk approach for different risk thresholds and evaluates the improvement in reliability due to maintenance operations. The methodology is illustrated using as an example the highway bridge network of major interstate and state roads in New York State.
