Durability and Strength of Reinforced Concrete Bridges Subject to Corrosion: Fuzzy Random and Probabilistic Analysis

This paper established a robust theoretical framework and applied fuzzy random and probabilistic theories to evaluate the durability and strength of reinforced concrete bridge structures subject to corrosion. The study systematically predicts moment capacity degradation, failure probability, and service life, while accounting for uncertainties in input parameters through Monte Carlo simulation. The MATLAB programming tool was used to calculate and analyze the bridge structures considering the uncertainty of input parameters and Monter Carlo simulation. A targeted application focused on estimating the service life of an aging bridge affected by chloride intrusion yielded noteworthy findings. Notably, the predicted initial corrosion times from both fuzzy and non-fuzzy analyses were found to be comparable, at approximately 29.96 years and 29.94 years, respectively. Additionally, the analysis indicated that the probability of failure for reinforced concrete bridge structures effectively doubles after 25 years. These results underscore the robustness of the proposed model, emphasising that the incorporation of comprehensive empirical data on the input parameters used to calculate durability and resistance, particularly from field experiments, significantly enhances the reliability and accuracy of lifespan and resistance predictions for reinforced concrete structures in practical applications.