Research Article

Prediction-Based Maintenance of Existing Bridges Using Neural Network and Sensitivity Analysis

Table 1

Potentially influencing factors.

Attributes (unit)

Bridge geometry factorsLength (m)
Width (m)

Environmental factorsElevation (m)
Yearly highest and lowest temperatures (°C)
Carbon dioxide concentration (ppm)
Airborne salt concentration (mdd·NaCl)
Yearly average snowfall (cm)
Yearly average rainfall (cm)

Loading conditionDaily traffic volume (vehicles/day)a
Rate of the large-size vehicles (%/day)

OtherYears in service (years)
Bridge type

aStatistics on traffic volume include large and small vehicles [37].