NCHRP Report 483: Bridge Life-Cycle Cost Analysis contains the findings of a study to develop a methodology for bridge life-cycle cost analysis (BLCCA) for use by transportation agencies. The report describes the research effort leading to the recommended methodology and includes a guidance manual for carrying out BLCCA and software that automates the methodology. The material in this report will be of immediate interest to engineers concerned with the life-cycle cost analysis of major bridges.

Under NCHRP Project 12-43, National Engineering Technology Corporation developed a comprehensive procedure for life-cycle cost analysis. Of particular note is the explicit introduction of vulnerability and uncertainty in the analysis. Consideration of vulnerability and uncertainty results in a more realistic estimate of life-cycle cost. Although default values are provided for cost parameters, users will benefit from the development and use of parameters specific to the structure and environment in question.

The proposed methodology is fully described in the guidance manual (Part II of the report). The methodology is implemented in software contained on a CD bound with the report (CRP-CD-26). The guidance manual and a users manual are accessible from the software. The users manual presents four examples of the application of the methodology.