ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Traditionally, the durability problems in concrete structures are treated by implicit provisions, such as minimum concrete cover, maximum water/cement ratio, and minimum cement contents, etc. However, it is not possible to give a controlled durability and long-term performance of concrete structures with such deem-to-satisfy rules. Recently, research works have shown that the probabilistic approach, which is based on the theory of structural reliability, would be very valuable for durability analysis. The sampling data related with concrete bridges in Korea were selected from detailed field investigation and the probabilistic durability analysis based on a Monte Carlo Simulation was performed. The probabilistic properties of some design variables, such as diffusion coefficients of concrete and surface chloride concentration were newly determined using some experimental data in this country. The relative contribution of each design variable to the service life of concrete bridge structure was investigated through sensitivity analysis. By applying a probabilistic durability analysis to an integral structural design, the durability performance of concrete bridge structures would be remarkably improved.
