Dependability of Complex Bridge Structural Systems

This paper will summarize the main ideas that form, in the Authors opinion, the basis of the design of complex structural systems, like demanding bridges, in a modern and effective way. Initially, the differences and the similarities of the concepts of system and structure are considered, with special reference to the analogy between system synthesis and Performance-based Design. After that, the notion of complexity is introduced with specific reference to structural design problems. The final part of the paper is devoted to the design philosophy based on dependability, which emerges from other fields of engineering: it is related to software (Computer Science) but it has also some heritage from hardware related engineering like Aeronautics, and it can be usefully applied to Civil Structural Engineering. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London.