Test accuracy requirements for optimal decision-making in management of post-tensioned concrete bridges

The safety and reliability assessment of post-tensioned (PT) concrete bridges is critical to the management of the infrastructure. Assessing the structural health condition of PT concrete bridges is challenging due to the inaccessibility of prestressing systems. In combination with visual inspections, engineers rely on partially destructive and nondestructive testing to assess the health of the prestressing system of bridges. As a consequence, test outcomes often guide operator decisions on bridge management. However, the uncertainty of testing techniques can lead to suboptimal maintenance strategies and inefficient resource allocation. Thus, it should be taken into account in the decision-making process. This paper introduces a decision-making methodology based on Expected Utility Theory (EUT) to assess the accuracy requirements of tests to be convenient to operators. A practical application of the proposed methodology is shown in a real case study of a PT concrete viaduct in Italy. In this application, the assessment of the prestressing state of the viaduct is treated through strand-cutting tests.