Is illustrative of new state-of-the-art probabilistic procedures to face the challenge of the optimal design of large structures under seismic hazard. Contains reliability-based procedures that includes a management of uncertainties which is easy to understand - Describes a systematic and scientific way to do a cost/benefit analysis which can be adapted to other cases of interest to the readers Offers a stimulating example of how to handle the economic consequences of the potential failure of a large structure Shows, in a practical way, the formulation of key aspects to make decisions and provides orientation to enable the reader to solve similar problems.

This bookcontains papers covering a wide range of studies on life-cycle performance analysis, design, maintenance, monitoring, management, and cost of civil infrastructure systems. Topics include reliability and optimization as design basis tools, monitoring systems, life-cycle cost analysis and management, bridge management systems, and quality control acceptance criteria. The book also discusses seismic reliability analysis of deteriorating structures, bridge inspection strategies, life-cycle cost analysis of structures on a network level, optimal risk-based design of infrastructures, updating bridge reliability using load monitoring data and statistics of extremes, rehabilitation of bridges, and lifetime analysis and structural repair of civil infrastructure systems.

After recent earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes devastated more than a dozen countries, civil engineers find themselves at the forefront of building and repairing the infrastructure of destroyed communities. A balance must be struck between potential losses from natural disasters and financial commitments to infrastructure protection. Civil engineers are positioned to achieve this balance, but may need new tools to do so. This monograph asks the bigger question: are civil engineers doing their jobs or should their roles be redefined? The topics covered in this publication include: an introduction to disaster risk assessment and mitigation; disaster risk assessment for natural hazard mitigation; reducing the effects of hazards; system evaluation for hazard mitigation; lessons learned from recent disasters; construction challenges; and political commitment to disaster mitigation. This publication is invaluable to engineers involved in disaster risk assessment and mitigation, lifelines, and owners and operators of public and private infrastructure systems.