Applied Bayesian Pre-Posterior and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis for Determining and Optimizing the Value of Structural Health Monitoring for Concrete Structures

The general aim of this research is to develop a methodology for rational decision making in the management of existing structures, so that the limited resources for the management of infrastructure can be optimally deployed. A life-cycle perspective will be adopted, allowing decisions on strategies for inspection, monitoring and strengthening. Relevant uncertainties, which are unavoidable in the condition assessment of existing structures as well as the life-cycle cost prediction, will be accounted for.

The methodology of pre-posterior decision-making will be transformed into a tool for the analysis of the benefit of inspection and monitoring of real structures.
First, the inherent time-dependent and spatially distributed character of degradation processes such as corrosion of steel reinforcement will be incorporated into a pre-posterior decision-making framework.Second, data from conventional tests will be combined with data obtained from state-of-the-art vibration-based SHM methods for updating the prediction of the remaining lifetime.
A third aspect will be the integration of these elements in an overall quantitative life-cycle cost assessment considering inspection and repair strategies.

It is believed that dealing with these challenges, an adequate life-cycle based approach will be obtained for the assessment of existing structures which is able to exploit the high potential in state-of-the-art SHM technologies.