Probability-Based Capacity Assessment of the Zárate-Brazo Largo Bridges During Rehabilitation

Authors

Dietrich L. Hommel, Carlos A. Prato, Mette Sloth and Michael H. Faber

Abstract

In November 1996 one cable of the bridge across Parana Guazu, Argentina ruptured and as a consequence the bridge was closed. The cable ruptured close to the bottom socket. The remaining part of the ruptured cable showed severe signs of corrosion and fatigue-like ruptures in the wires. The Ministry of Economy - Ministerio de Economia y Obras y Servicios Publicos (MEOSP) - asked COWI to provide assistance with the evaluation of the failure causes as well as with the identification of re-qualification measures allowing for the continued use of the structures. The re-qualification of the bridges has been carried out in three steps; emergency assistance, formulation of a LRFD (load and resistance factor design) based rehabilitation design basis and the rehabilitation design. The present paper aims to present the overall probability-based approach for the assessment and rehabilitation design of the Zarato-Brazo Largo Bridges. design basis and therehabilitation design. The present paper aims to present the overall probability-based approach for the assessment and rehabilitation design of the Zarato-Brazo Largo Bridges.

Published in/by

Proceedings IABMAS'04, 2nd International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, Kyoto, Japan, October 18-22, 2004.