• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.337-349
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• 2001

This study present an optimum deck and girder system design for minimizing the life-cycle cost (LCC) of orthotropic steel deck bridges. The problem of optimum LCC design of orthotropic steel deck bridges is formulated as that of minimization of the expected total LCC that consists of initial cost, maintenance cost, expected retrofit costs for strength, deflection, and fatigue. To demonstrate the effect of LCC optimum design of orthotropic steel deck bridges, the proposed optimum LCC design is compared with the conventional method for orthotropic steel deck bridges design. From the numerical investigations, it may be positively stated that the proposed optimum design procedure for orthotropic steel deck bridges based on the LCC will lead to more rational, economical and safer design.