Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process for assessment of tied arch bridges

A tied-arch bridge is an arch bridge which incorporates a tie between two opposite ends of the arch. The tie is capable of withstanding the horizontal thrust forces which would normally be exerted on the abutments of an arch bridge. The elimination of horizontal forces at the abutments allows tied-arch bridges to be constructed with less robust foundations, and can be situated in areas of unstable soil. The tied-arch bridges are often built in the region of Yangtze River Delta of China. In recent years, several tied-arched bridges collapsed because of material deteriorations and structural inefficiency. Based on the current “Code of Maintenance of Highway Bridges and Culverts” and analyzed by the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the weight factors for the super structures of the tied arch bridge are obtained in this paper. And an evaluation method for tied arch bridges is established.