Modelling uncertainty and performance updating: applications in chloride induced deterioration

Deterioration, increase in demand and change in utilisation of the transport infrastructure have induced an unknown level of risk in their use. Predicting future condition and reliability of the high value assets, such as bridges, is vital for their effective management and efficient use of resources. Predictive deterioration modelling and health monitoring systems both have limitations on their use and abilities in regard to prognosis. A powerful decision support tool may be developed by combining information obtained through structural health monitoring with probabilistic performance prediction models. A performance updating methodology is presented in this paper focusing on the concrete structures prone to chloride induced deterioration. It is concluded that a methodology combining information from the two sources would benefit the management of deterioration prone structures. Confidence regarding predicted performance of the structure can be significantly improved through the performance updating methodology presented in this paper.