Durability Evaluation Method of Concrete Bridges under Freezing Environments with Salt Exposure Based on Game Theory and Matter-Element Extension Theory

To address the limitations of existing bridge durability evaluation methods, including poor adaptability to freezing environments with salt exposure and defects of single weighting strategies, a durability evaluation method for concrete bridges under freezing environments with salt exposure is proposed by integrating game theory and matter-element extension theory. First, the durability evaluation index system consisting of six indexes that reflect the characteristics of typical deterioration mechanisms of concrete bridges under such environments is established. Subsequently, the measured data of the bridge under evaluation are processed using matter-element extension theory, and the correlation is calculated. Through game theory, the subjective weights determined by the order relationship analysis method and the objective weights determined by the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation method are combined and optimized to absorb their respective advantages, thereby obtaining the combined weights for the indexes. Finally, the comprehensive correlation is obtained from the correlation and the combined weights of the indexes. Based on the maximum comprehensive correlation, the durability grade of the concrete bridge is determined. The proposed method is verified through engineering case study. The results indicate that bridge T1 exhibits good durability, while the durability of bridges T2 and T3 is poor, with the durability ranking of the three being T1 > T3 > T2. The durability evaluation results are consistent with the measured results. This method comprehensively considers both objective and subjective weights, providing a decision-making basis for the maintenance of concrete bridges.