ABSTRACT
This study utilized previous regression analyses in predicting the neutralized effect and corrosive effect due to chloride of the bridges in Taiwan to define the deteriorated plastic hinge properties of the RC bridge column. The S-surfaces representing retrofitting cost versus service time for a deteriorated RC bridge subjected to different earthquake levels were determined quantitatively in a case study. Throughout the whole life-cycle of a bridge, critical service times corresponding to dramatically increased slopes in the Ssurface associated with cost elevations can be identified to assist in the development of a financially optimized strategy for timely seismic retrofitting.
