ABSTRACT
Performance assessment is important for existing infrastructures since it can effectively help conduct maintenance and keep structures in good condition. In this study, a deterministic risk ranking approach and a reliability analysis approach are developed for the assessment of sign structure for the state of Maryland, USA. The performance assessment of road-side infrastructures relates to the effects of structural age, current and future traffic volumes in average annual daily traffic volume (AADT), number of anchor bolts, structural member combined stress ratio (CSR) and fatigue stress. By analyzing the database of sign structures provided by the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA), in which the inventory data and performing structural condition inspections are included, an assessment of sign structures is conducted with additional sampling fatigue analyses based on the AASHTO Specification. Eventually, ranking of all existing sign structures is generated in order for prioritizing the structural replacement. In the existing sign structures, 736 out of 2451 fatigue galloping-sensitive structures, belonging to five major categories, are focused on. The results of this study will provide a basis for future inspection and maintenance of all infrastructures. Some risk assessment equations are derived in the analysis. Furthermore, the assessment model may be updated by the data from future construction and inspection.
