An Integrated System for Bridge Management Using Probabilistic and Mechanistic Deterioration Models: Application to Bridge Decks

This paper presents a system for the maintenance management of aging highway bridges that integrates two different approaches for deterioration modeling. Probabilistic state-based/time-based models are used to predict the macro-response of bridge components for network level analysis, while reliability-based mechanistic models are used to predict the micro-response of bridge components for project level analysis. Probabilistic state-based/time-based models are developed using qualitative performance indicators (condition ratings) that are determined through visual inspections to identify the overall condition of damaged components in a bridge network. Reliability-based mechanistic models are developed using quantitative performance indicators (physical parameters) that are determined through detailed condition surveys, analytical assessments, and empirical investigations to identify the extent and severity of specific deterioration mechanisms for safety critical structures and/or highly damaged components. The condition rating data obtained from the Ministere des Transports du Quebec database and the condition assessment of the Dickson Bridge in Montreal, Canada were used to demonstrate the two approaches for predicting the deterioration of concrete bridge decks at the two levels of management of the integrated system.