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Y.C. Sung¹, D.W. Chang², M.Y. Cheng², T.L. Chang², K.Y. Liu³
Structural Longevity, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 1-16, 2009, DOI:10.3970/sl.2009.001.001
Abstract The seismic assessment and retrofit of existing bridges has become important in Taiwan, since the Chi-Chi earthquake in 1999. In order to ensure the safety of the traffic network, a project has been launched to assess the seismic resistance capacity of over 2,200 bridges on the Taiwan Roadway System. A detailed evaluation procedure, using the modified ATC-40 capacity spectrum method was first applied to over 140 regular bridges. The state-of-the-art nonlinear static analysis (pushover analysis) was adopted to calculate the seismic resistance capacity in terms of PGA, in order to compare the seismic demand according More >

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Robert E Melchers¹
Structural Longevity, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 17-36, 2009, DOI:10.3970/sl.2009.001.017
Abstract There are increasing pressures to extend the service lives of existing infrastructure and to provide optimal management of their maintenance. Structural reliability theory now provides a very comprehensive approach to assessing risks for complex infrastructure systems. It requires probabilistic models for the prediction of the long-term changes to structural capacity and resistance as may result, for example, from changes in the management or operation of the asset or from material deterioration in harsh operational environments. While empirical models may be sufficient in some cases, it is preferable for the models to be based on fundamental… More >

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Jeom Kee Paik¹, Anil K. Thayamballi²
Structural Longevity, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 37-60, 2009, DOI:10.3970/sl.2009.001.037
Abstract Ships and offshore structures are subjected to various ocean environmental phenomena which can cause highly nonlinear action effects. In this case, the limit states-based approach is a much better basis for strength assessment and design than the traditional allowable-working stress-based approach, because it is not possible to determine the true margin of structural safety as long as the limit states remain unknown. To determine the limit states, the use of nonlinear structural mechanics and analysis is essential. The limit states-based methods together with nonlinear structural mechanics and analysis are a key for consequence analysis that More >

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Jeffrey D. Kuhn¹, Som R. Soni¹
Structural Longevity, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 61-74, 2009, DOI:10.3970/sl.2009.001.061
Abstract Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) promises to decrease the maintenance cost and increase the availability of aging aircraft fleets by fundamentally changing the way structural inspections are performed. But this promise can only be realized through the consistent and predictable performance of a SHM system throughout the entire remaining life of an aircraft. Questions remain concerning the performance, durability and reliability of SHM systems after long-term exposure to the hostile aircraft environment. These questions have been a serious impediment to the large-scale implementation of SHM on legacy fleets. This study uses a design of experiments (DOE) More >

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