A framework for the asset integrity management of large deteriorating concrete structures

Authors

Daniel Straub, Vasiliki Malioka and Michael H. Faber

Abstract

Many concrete structures can be considered as large engineering systems, respectively parts thereof. For these, a realistic modeling of deterioration and the planning of inspection and maintenance activities requires explicit consideration of the interdependencies among the individual elements of the structure. With the aging of the infrastructure this becomes increasingly recognized by engineers and decision makers, yet relatively few research projects have addressed this topic to date. The paper provides an overview on the decision problems related to the planning of inspection, monitoring and maintenance activities in large engineering systems. This is followed by the presentation of a model framework for the representation of spatial and temporal variability of deterioration, illustrated by consideration of chlorideinduced corrosion of the reinforcement in concrete structures. The framework is computationally highly efficient and facilitates the consistent, quantitative modeling of the risks from deterioration, for the entire system at all points in time. Finally it is demonstrated how the framework can be applied to optimize the planning of inspection and maintenance activities for large concrete structures.

Published in/by

Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, in press