Multiple-criteria life-cycle evaluation of alternative bridge deck reinforcement materials using rank matrix analysis
Abstract
Bridge designers have a duty to identify and implement cost-effective designs that yield minimal rehabilitation frequency and intensity over the facility life and hence least life-cycle preservation cost to the agency and agencies. As such, the bridge engineering community seeks new materials, configurations, and other design elements to meet this objective. This thesis compares the cost, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of using clad or solid stainless steel versus using traditional epoxy-coated carbon steel as the double mat material for reinforcing bridge decks. For each alternative material, it is assumed that all other structural elements in the bridge superstructure and substructure are reinforced with traditional carbon steel. The evaluation methodology incorporates multiple criteria such as the initial and life-cycle costs borne by the agency and the users, and the service life of the bridge deck. Then a rank matrix comparison framework was established to identify the best material alternative on the basis of the multiple criteria. The results show that using stainless steel as reinforcement material for the bridge deck can lead to significantly higher initial costs but drastically reduced costs over the bridge life cycle. The reduced costs are a result of less frequent and intense rehabilitation. In harsher environments where bridges are more vulnerable to corrosion, the relative benefits of stainless steel are expected to be even higher. Recognizing that the evaluation parameters are not deterministic, sensitivity analysis of the outcome was carried out using ranges of values for traffic volume, material prices, discount rates, life-cycle profiles, and user cost percentages. This thesis thus demonstrates the superior long-term cost-effectiveness of stainless steel as a reinforcement material for highway bridge decks.
Degree
M.S.C.E.
Advisors
Labi, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Civil engineering|Transportation planning
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