Simplified Reliability Estimation for Optimum Strengthening Ratio of 30-Year-Old Double T-Beam Railway Bridge by NSM Techniques

Abstract

This study is to develop simplified reliability estimation for optimum strengthening ratio of T-beam railway bridge strengthened by CFRP strip. Until now, strengthening design has been usually proceeded to satisfy the target load-carrying capacity by using the deterministic parameter of nominal property for concrete or FRP. For the optimum strengthening design, however, it is required that reliability-based strengthening design should be applied to effectively determine the amount of strengthening material and make sure of the safety of the structure. As applying the reliability-based strengthening ratio, more reliable strengthening design using CFRP strip is possible as well as having a structural redundancy. The reliability-based strengthening design methodology suggested in this study is able to contribute the optimum strengthening design for a concrete structure strengthened by CFRP strip.