PSI - Issue 78

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

ScienceDirect

Procedia Structural Integrity 78 (2026) 404–411

© 2025 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of XX ANIDIS Conference organizers Keywords: half-joint; life-cycle; target reliability indexes; existing bridges; reliability assessment This study presents a reliability-based framework for assessing the structural performance of RC half-joints over their life cycle, incorporating the effects of time-dependent loads and material degradation. The methodology includes the definition of target reliability indexes dependent over time and attention thresholds to support life-cycle management and decision-making. A time dependent reliability assessment is conducted using Monte Carlo simulations, providing estimates for the evolution of the reliability index throughout the service life. Structural capacity and load effects are evaluated by means Strut-and-Tie models. The proposed approach improves understanding of the safety margins of aging bridge components and supports maintenance strategies by providing a quantitative basis for prioritizing interventions and life extension, while ensuring acceptable levels of reliability. Abstract Half-joints in reinforced concrete (RC) bridges represent structural discontinuities that can significantly influence long-term safety. While their isostatic configuration limits internal restraint forces, it simultaneously increases vulnerability to local failures, potentially leading to global collapse. XX ANIDIS Conference A new reliability-based procedure for the life-cycle management of constructions: application to RC bridge half-joint Matteo Tatangelo a, *, Lorenzo Audisio a , Michele D’Amato b , Rosario Gigliotti a , Franco Braga a a DISG,Dept. of Structural and Geotechnics Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy b DIUSS, Dept. for Humanistic, Scientific and Social Innovation, University of Basilicata, Via Lanera, Matera 75100, Italy

* Corresponding author. E-mail address: matteo.tatangelo@uniroma1.it

2452-3216 © 2025 The Authors. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0) Peer-review under responsibility of XX ANIDIS Conference organizers 10.1016/j.prostr.2025.12.052