Reliability analysis of the upper anchorage of a cable-stayed bridge using a probabilistic structural model

This work describes the experimental and theoretical approach used for the development of a structural reliability model for the upper anchorage of a cable-stayed bridge. Experimental and field analysis are used to establish the statistical models for uncertainty in material constitutive laws, fracture toughness, external loads (traffic and wind), and material defects (inclusions and pores). A standard reliability method is used for the evaluation of probabilistic characteristics of parameters and for the failure probabilities. Finite element analysis is used within two levels; the first level considers the model of the whole bridge to calculate the loads on the anchorages under different external load conditions. The second level considers the detailed model for the anchorage to calculate stresses on critical points. A particular semi-empirical model is proposed to analyze fatigue and to predict structural life. The reliability model is evaluated through the simulation of different scenarios of load conditions.