Gaussian Copula-based Bayesian network approach for characterizing spatial variability in aging steel bridges

Journal Article (2023)
Author(s)

J Barros Lorenzo (CINTECX)

B. Conde (CINTECX)

B. Riveiro (CINTECX)

NO Morales-Nápoles (TU Delft - Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk)

Research Group
Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk
Copyright
© 2023 B. Barros, B. Conde, B. Riveiro, O. Morales Napoles
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2023.102403
More Info
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Publication Year
2023
Language
English
Copyright
© 2023 B. Barros, B. Conde, B. Riveiro, O. Morales Napoles
Research Group
Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk
Volume number
106
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Abstract

Finite Element (FE) modeling often requires unavoidable simplifications or assumptions due to a lack of experimental data, modeling complexity, or non-affordable computational cost. One such simplification is modeling corrosion phenomena or material properties, which are usually assumed to be uniform throughout the structure. However, e.g., corrosion has a local nature and severe consequences on the behavior of steel structures that should not be overlooked. To improve the current numerical modeling techniques in aging steel bridges, this paper proposes a Gaussian Copula-based Bayesian Network (GCBN) approach to model the spatial variability of structural element properties. Accordingly, a study of the automatic Bayesian network generation process is first conducted. Subsequently, the methodology is applied to a severely damaged riveted steel bridge built in 1897. The results show that the methodology has excellent flexibility for generating properties variability in FE models at a low computational cost, thus ensuring its practical feasibility and robustness for accurate numerical modeling.