Optimum policies for reliability assurance of aging concrete structures

Modern structural engineering practice often requires that existing reinforced or prestressed concrete structures be evaluated for their suitability for continued service, for projected increases in service load requirements, or other proposed changes in use. Such structures Frequently have suffered deterioration as a result of corrosion or aggressive chemical attack from their service environment, Current service evaluations frequently are highly subjective in nature, and often provide little quantitative information on margins of safely. Structural reliability analysis provides quantitative tools for performing in-service condition assessments. Moreover, relative costs of inspection, maintenance and required levels of reliability and performance can be examined systematically using reliability-based optimization methods to determine optimum strategies for facility maintenance. Such methods provide a framework for rationalizing facility management policies.