Reliability Levels for Existing Bridges Evaluation According to Eurocodes

AbstractIn the frame of research activities of the Department of structures and bridges, the modified reliability levels for existing bridge evaluation were derived. These levels were used for determining the partial safety factors for materials. Moreover, the partial safety factors of steel and concrete were determined depending on the age of the bridge and on the remaining lifetime of the bridge. New modified reliability levels for evaluation of existing bridges affect also the partial safety factors of loads. In the paper, the modification of reliability levels recommended according to Eurocode for bridge members subjected to bending are presented. These adjusted reliability levels should be used for existing bridge evaluation