Cost analysis for maintenance and seismic retrofit of existing bridges

Abstract

The work describes an extensive cost analysis for maintenance and seismic retrofit of typical existing road bridges, based on integrated procedures for assessment of state and seismic vulnerability. In particular, visual inspections to evaluate total sufficiency ratings and a simplified seismic assessment were carried out for each structure, according to procedures proposed in earlier works. The results were then used as input data for statistical analysis, to calibrate new unit maintenance, seismic retrofit and total cost equations. The procedure was applied to a stock of bridges in the province of Vicenza, north-east Italy. The results will allow public authorities and private managing companies to estimate economic indicators regarding the extent of resources required for bridge maintenance and retrofit in areas subject to seismic events.

Keywords:

• Bridge maintenance
• maintenance costs
• management
• seismic analysis
• vulnerability
• retrofitting

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to Francesco Castagnino for assistance with analyses.