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Abstract

This paper proposes a technique for determining the repair ranking of existing reinforced concrete (RC) bridges using the multi-pole fuzzy pattern recognition evaluation method. The differences between bridges and grades are expressed by weighted generalized weight distance. To find the optimal relative membership degree of an evaluated bridge attributed to any grade, the operative principle is that the sum of the square of weighted generalized weight distance is minimum. Based on this principle, the problem of extreme value is established by the objective function in connection with constraint condition. Using the Lagrangean method, the multi-pole fuzzy pattern recognition evaluation method is thus established. In order to verify the applicability of this proposed method, five existing RC bridges in Taiwan are used as an illustrative example. The present study results indicate that the proposed method is reasonable, feasible and reliable. The studied results can be used as a crucial engineering decision-making tool for the repair, strengthening or demolition ranking of existing RC bridges.

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