The objective of this paper is to evaluate the flexure capacity reliability level for prestressed concrete bridge girders designed using old Chinese Bridge Code (CBC 1989), new Chinese Bridge Code (CBC 2004), and USA AASHTO LRFD Bridge Specifications (AASHTO LRFD 2005). Typical I-girders with variable section-dimensions, span lengths and spacing are considered. Rachwitz-Fiessler method is applied to analyze the reliability indices, β, defined as a function of probability PF: β=Φ-1 (PF). Considerable differences existing in the three codes unavoidably lead to different reliability levels for designing a bridge. The conclusions drawn from the reliability analysis and comparisons may provide helpful guidance for the evaluation of bridges under old Chinese code (CBC 1989) and new one (CBC 2004); also provide a reference between Chinese code and USA code.

  • Abstract

  • Introduction

  • Load model

  • Resistance model

  • Reliability Analysis

  • Conclusion

  • References

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