Decision-making on economic maintenance of earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete structures

TLDR: In this article, the authors adopt a benefit-cost analysis and put forward an economic decision-making method on preventive maintenance, pre-earthquake reinforcement, and post-Earthquake repair and dismantling of structures, with consideration to earthquake damage accumulation, natural aging, and durability damage.

Abstract: It is necessary to repair or reinforce earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete structures during their service time since their safety performance may gradually deteriorate due to environmental factors such as concrete carbonation, steel erosion, natural aging, or earthquake damage. This paper adopts a benefit-cost analysis and puts forward an economic decision-making method on preventive maintenance, pre-earthquake reinforcement, and post-earthquake repair and dismantling of structures, with consideration to earthquake damage accumulation, natural aging, and durability damage. It is of crucial theoretical significance and application value to the decision-making on the maintenance of structures.