An innovative framework for probabilistic-based structural assessment with an application to existing reinforced concrete structures José C. Matos 1 , Paulo J. S. Cruz 2 , Isabel B. Valente 3 , Luís C. Neves 4 , Vicente N. Moreira 5 ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal 1 Assistant Professor, ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campos de Azurém, 4800- 058 Guimarães, Portugal. Phone: +351 253 510 200, E-mail: jmatos@civil.uminho.pt (corresponding author) 2 Full Professor, Lab2PT, School of Architecture, University of Minho, Campos de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal. Phone: +351 253 510 505, E-mail: pcruz@arquitectura.uminho.pt 3 Assistant Professor, ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campos de Azurém, 4800- 058 Guimarães, Portugal. Phone: +351 253 510 200, E-mail: isabelv@civil.uminho.pt 4 Lecturer, Transportation Engineering Centre (NTEC), University of Nottingham, NTEC Building, NG7 2RD, UK, Phone: +44 0115 84 67365, E-mail: luis.neves@nottingham.ac.uk 5 PhD candidate, ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Campos de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal. Phone: +351 253 510 200, E-mail: vicente.nmoreira@gmail.com