
Malahide Viaduct, Malahide, Co Dublin.
Using probabilistic assessment to predict the remaining life of the viaduct, with and without future interventions
Our research and development team carried out a probabilistic assessment of the Malahide railway viaduct following the scour induced failure of one of its supporting piers in 2009.
Our solution provided the basis for a maintenance strategy that maintained the required safety level while maximising performance with respect to economic cost.
We calculated the level of safety in terms of the reliability index (β-index) of the structure, when compared to the minimum value required by the Eurocode.
Our assessment was informed by an extensive suite of both non-destructive and destructive testing, including:
In undertaking the probabilistic modelling, we used both stochastic and deterministic variables to consider the load and resistance of the structure.
We modelled the following parameters: