Reliability analysis of deteriorating structures - the experience and needs of practising engineers

Structural reliability theory is a useful tool for assessing the risks asso ciated with deteriorating structures. This paper presents the views of prac tising engineers and highlights the problems associated with determining th e latest time to repair intervention for a sample bridge substructure using a bridge specific deterioration model. The methodology used for developing the deterioration model and the aspects which need further improvement are given in this paper. The experience gained and the difficulties faced by p ractising engineers in using this method of analysis are also presented. Al though this advanced method has its own advantages, the Authors' experience indicates that more work could be done in this field. A few areas which ha ve been identified as in need of further research are given in this paper. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.