Reliability-based optimisation design of post-tensioned concrete box girder bridges considering pitting corrosion attack

Since the mid-twentieth century, prestressed concrete (PC) bridges have been significantly developed to become the most important type of bridge in the world. However, only a few studies have dealt with the reliability-based design optimisation (RBDO) of PC bridges despite the fact that RBDO demonstrates the real behaviour of structures. Moreover, the corrosion of post-tensioned tendon in PC bridges seriously caused sudden failures which have been recorded in the world. Since then, this study presents the probabilistic model and approach to formulate and analyse the RBDO of PC box girder bridges which consider the pitting corrosion phenomenon of shear, torsion reinforcements and post-tensioned tendon. A practical example of a typical PC box girder bridge is presented and discussed. Sensitive analyses are performed to evaluate the influence of ultimate target reliability index on the optimal solution. For the simple support PC box girder bridge, the ultimate target reliability index should be in the range of β_ult: 3.5–5 in order to produce the optimal design.