Optimization method of fatigue maintenance for cable-beam anchorage zone of suspension bridge

The cable-beam anchorage zone is the vital load-bearing component in suspension bridge. For maintenance of such structure, a method of probabilistic optimization was proposed by combining linear elastic fracture mechanics, structural reliability and life cycle cost analysis. In this method, the optimal maintenance time is obtained by determining the relative proportion between the costs under the condition that the structural reliability is higher than the minimum allowable reliability. While, the minimum total maintenance cost is obtained by determining the maintenance interval. Then, an example is presented to verify this method, with the following conclusions: the reliability index is inversely proportional to the failure probability, the change of maintenance cost and failure cost affects the optimal maintenance time, the optimal maintenance time will be ahead of time when consider the risk cost. And finally, when the maintenance time interval is determined, the optimal maintenance cost is affected by the maintenance probability and the failure probability.