Bridge service life prediction model using the Markov chain.

This paper describes the application of Markov chain technique in estimating bridge service life. The change of bridge conditions is a stochastic process and, therefore, the service life of bridges is related to the probabilities of condition transitions. A bridge service life prediction model, using the Markov chain, was developed to reflect the stochastic nature of bridge condition and service life. The paper includes a discussion on the concept of Markov chain, the development and application of the service life prediction model using the Markov chain, and the comparison of service life predictions by statistical and Markov chain approaches.