A probabilistic approach for the service life estimation of pre-cast concrete girders

Title: A probabilistic approach for the service life estimation of pre-cast concrete girders
Author(s): Kálmán Koris, István Bódi
Paper category : conference
Book title: 2nd International Symposium on Service Life Design for Infrastructures
Editor(s): K. van Breugel, Guang Ye, Yong Yuan
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-096-7
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-097-4
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2010
Pages: 331 - 338
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 7
Language: English

Abstract: A possible method for the service life design is the probabilistic approach considering changes of structural resistance and the load effect in time. Our research focused on the determination of the load carrying capacity and the probability of failure as a function of time in case of pre-cast concrete girders. The structural resistance was calculated by Finite Element Method while the probability of failure was determined by Stochastic Finite Element Method.
During the research, the bending moment capacity of pre-cast, prestressed concrete floor beams was analysed. Creep and shrinkage of concrete, relaxation and carbonation induced corrosion of steel bars and tendons as well as the decrease of material properties and cross-sectional dimensions were considered during the calculations. Initial stochastic parameters were determined from material tests and measurements on existing pre-cast concrete beams.
Bending tests were also carried out on small-span, pre-cast concrete beams to verify the calculated stochastic characteristics of the ultimate load. The probability of failure of analysed members was evaluated as a function of time elapsed since manufacture, the relative ambient humidity and the initial value of imposed load. The results of the analysis can be used for the purposes of service life estimation of appropriate structural members.

Online publication: 2011-04-20
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00