Probabilistic Optimization of Culverts Maintenance: Analyzing Corrosion-Induced Deterioration and Structural Performance

When it comes to roadway infrastructure maintenance, culverts need to receive the attention they deserve. This study presents a methodology for optimizing the maintenance of such assets. A field survey was conducted to collect critical data for developing an appropriate deterioration pattern, with exponential degradation identified as the most relevant (R² = 0.94). A transition probability matrix specifies the evolution of culvert performance over its service life. Furthermore, we simulated a local-global approach to trace crack propagation through the culvert structures’ corrosiveness levels. Apart from the corrosiveness, we accounted for the most significant positive and negative moments and the highest shear strength due to the live and dead loads and forces due to water and soil. By conducting FDEM simulations, we established a correlation between radial corrosion-induced stresses and stages of crack propagation. The deterioration pattern calculated was then compared with simulation output after which a discrepancy between the model and field data analysis was realized, which points to the fact that other forces, such as construction quality and environmental conditions, play a significant role in culvert degradation.