A FUZZY-LOGIC APPROACH FOR DEVELOPING A UNIVERSAL PERFORMANCE-BASED RATING SYSTEM FOR EVALUATION OF CONCRETE BRIDGES VIA VISUAL INSPECTION

Abstract

Visual inspection-based rating systems are widely used for bridge condition assessment due to cost-effectiveness. However, they offer qualitative ratings, making it difficult to quantify load capacity objectively. To address this, a new performance-based rating system, the universal performance rating system (UPRS), is proposed. It employs fuzzy logic analysis and structural modeling to predict remaining load capacity from visual data. UPRS, implemented in MATLAB®, maps visible defects to mechanical property losses using fuzzy membership functions. These are then input into a numerical model to estimate capacity, linked to defects via a condition index. The result is performance graphs for elements, enabling direct mapping of visual observations to capacity measures. Illustrated with examples, UPRS enhances decision-making by providing quantitative assessments from visual data.