Validation of life-cycle-oriented computational methods for nonlinear analysis of RC/PC structures based on experimental tests

Life-cycle-oriented criteria, models, and methods accounting for time-variant performance of deteriorating structures under uncertainty need robust validation and accurate calibration. Experimental validation of nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) and prestressed concrete (PC) structures is presented, with emphasis on life-cycle assessment of beams under corrosion and existing bridge deck girders. The structural modelling is developed with different levels of complexity using RC/PC beam finite elements with distributed nonlinearity and bi-dimensional finite elements for plane-stress analysis formulated in accordance with the Modified Compression Field Theory (MCFT). The proposed models are validated based on the results of experimental laboratory tests on corroded RC/PC beams and full-scale load tests on PC bridge deck beams extracted from a dismantled 50-year-old viaduct through a wide experimental campaign and tested under different shear span ratios and damage scenarios. The comparison between numerical and experimental results allows to validate the proposed structural modelling criteria and nonlinear analysis methods of corroded RC/PC structures. This validation is a fundamental prerequisite for a successful implementation in practice of life-cycle-oriented design, assessment, maintenance, and management of structures and infrastructure systems.