Computational framework for long-term reliability analysis of RC structures Original Research Article

In many engineering fields, durability aspects with damage-oriented structural assessments recently have gained increasing interest. Thus new demands both for theoretical developments and analysis concepts are required. Because of their complexity, previous published researches hereby often have followed some aspects very accurately, while others were oversimplified. The present contribution proposes a rational computational concept for long-term reliability of RC structures. It is based on a novel combination of nonlinear damage analysis with efficient probabilistic reliability estimations, balancing mechanical modelling, analysis and stochastic aspects with acceptable computing time. Thereby, new 3D models for short-time behavior and for fatigue of concrete are applied. A time-variant reliability study of a RC bridge column with respect to stability failure under fatigue conditions demonstrates the general applicability of the derived strategy.