A probabilistic framework for the assessment of bridges for once-off superloads

Abstract

The transportation of once-off superloads is often treated using the same reliability levels as for new bridges which experience frequent normal and abnormal traffic loads for a remaining life of 100 years. An example of such superloads is the transportation of components for nuclear power plants which often exceed 500 ton. The once-off nature of these transports requires a different reliability level when compared to new structures. This contribution proposes a probabilistic framework for the assessment of bridges under superloads and investigates the effect of varying target reliability on the assessment outcome.