Probabilistic assessment of industrial heritage structures: Framework and case study

Abstract

At present, considerable effort is aimed at the re-use of industrial heritage structures in order to preserve their heritage value and avoid wasting energy. Such structures do not often fulfil requirements of present codes of practice. Decisions about construction interventions should be based on the complex assessment of the structure considering actual material properties, environmental influences and satisfactory past performance. Simplified conservative procedures of structural design given in present codes may lead to expensive repairs and losses of the heritage value. The probabilistic procedure is thus accepted to enhance reliability assessment. Application is illustrated by a case study concerning a former factory for boiler production. Two fundamental procedures of probabilistic updating are described: (1) updating of the distribution of iron strength using non-destructive and destructive tests, and (2) direct updating of failure probability considering satisfactory past performance of the structure. It appears that the probabilistic assessment may prevent expensive repairs. © 2013 WIT Press.