Structural Inspection and Condition
Assessment for Critical
Infrastructure Assets – Part 2
Structural Inspection and Condition Assessment for
Critical Infrastructure Assets – Part 2
Mark Williams, PhD, PE, SE
Senior Principal / Managing Director
Agenda
• ASCE report card
• What makes a grade?
• Structural inspection vs condition assessment
• Critical Infrastructure Assets
– Rail
– Aviation
– Ports
– Wastewater
What Makes a Grade?
Capacity: Does the infrastructure’s capacity meet current and future demands?
Condition: What is the infrastructure’s existing and near-future physical condition?
Funding: What is the current level of funding from all levels of government for the infrastructure category as compared to the
estimated funding need?
Future Need: What is the cost to improve the infrastructure? Will future funding prospects address the need?
Operation and Maintenance: What is the owners’ ability to operate and maintain the infrastructure properly? Is the infrastructure in
compliance with government regulations?
Public Safety: To what extent is the public’s safety jeopardized by the condition of the infrastructure and what could be the
consequences of failure?
Resilience: What is the infrastructure system’s capability to prevent or protect against significant multi-hazard threats and incidents?
How able is it to quickly recover and reconstitute critical services with minimum consequences for public safety and health, the
economy, and national security?
Innovation: What new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods are being implemented to improve
the infrastructure?
Grading Scale
Structural Inspection
Structural inspection is the review and Five basic types of structural
documentation of an existing inspection:
structure – Initial
– Routine
– In-depth
– Damage
– Special
Condition Assessment
Condition assessment is a systematic Management decisions:
collection of information and data of – Development, evaluation and testing of
a structure with the intent of new repair or maintenance techniques
establishing a direct indication of – Corrective action options with possible
physical performance, which can be consideration of life-cycle cost analysis
used for costing and budgeting – Project priority setting and scheduling
decisions. – Budgeting
– Funding allocation
– Long-range planning
Texas Rail
By the Numbers
• 10,000+ miles of rail in Texas
• 52 railroads
• 61,000 railroad bridges in the US
Deck (NBI 58)
Superstructure (NBI 59)
Substructure (NBI 60)
Deck
Superstructure
Substructure
Condition Rating
CoRE Elements
Ref. FHWA – Bridge Preservation Guide
Condition Assessment
• Condition Rating CR = S1 + S2 + S3 – S4
– S1 weighted % structural rating
– S2 weighted % functional rating
– S3 weighted % essential use rating
– S4 special reductions
CR = 100 New, no issues
CR = 0 critical condition
Texas Aviation
Map cracking Polishing
Popouts Scaling
Cracking Joint spalling Joint sealant deterioration
Settlement or heave
Faulting
Condition Assessment 1. STRUCTURAL ADEQUACY
AND SAFETY
S1 = 55% Max.
• Condition Rating CR = S1 + S2 + S3 – S4 Runway
Taxiway
Apron
– S1 weighted % structural rating Terminal
Automated People Mover
– S2 weighted % functional rating
2. SERVICEABILITY
– S3 weighted % essential use rating S2 = 30% Max.
3. ESSENTIAL FOR
Cracking USE
Polishing
– S4 special reductions Popouts
Spalling
S3 = 15% Max.
Failed sealants Port of Entry
Settlement
Faulting
CR = 100 New, no issues
CR = 0 critical condition 4. SPECIAL REDUCTIONS
S4 = 13% Max.
Pavement Type
Redundant Features
Texas Ports
By the Numbers
• 29 Texas Ports of Entry
– 16 Seaports
– 26 Commercial airports
• Port of Houston –
1st in foreign tonnage
2nd in US tonnage
Component Level
• Deck
• Superstructure
• Substructure
• Berthing system
• Bulkhead
• Shoreline
Element Condition States
Condition Assessment 1. STRUCTURAL ADEQUACY
AND SAFETY
S1 = 55% Max.
• Condition Rating CR = S1 + S2 + S3 – S4 Deck
Superstructure
Substructure
– S1 weighted % structural rating Berthing system
Bulkhead
Protected shoreline
– S2 weighted % functional rating
2. SERVICEABILITY AND
FUNCTIONAL OBSOLESCENCE
– S3 weighted % essential use rating S2 = 30% Max.
3. ESSENTIAL FOR
USE
– S4 special reductions Cracking
Concrete Cover
S3 = 15% Max.
Corrosion
Port of Entry
Spalling
Load capacity
CR = 100 New, no issues
CR = 0 critical condition 4. SPECIAL REDUCTIONS
S4 = 13% Max.
Structure Type
Safety Features
Texas Wastewater
Railing
Drive Basin
platform wall
Support
column
Basin slab
Rake arm
Element Condition States
Condition Assessment 1. STRUCTURAL ADEQUACY
AND SAFETY
S1 = 55% Max.
• Condition Rating CR = S1 + S2 + S3 – S4 Basin Slab
Basin Wall
Support Column
– S1 weighted % structural rating Rake Arm
Baffle Wall
Driving Platform
– S2 weighted % functional rating Railing
2. SERVICEABILITY AND
– S3 weighted % essential use rating FUNCTIONAL OBSOLESCENCE
3. ESSENTIAL FOR
S2 = 30% Max. USE
– S4 special reductions Cracking
Concrete Cover
S3 = 15% Max.
Joints Water Treatment
Tank Capacity
Chemical Process
CR = 100 New, no issues
CR = 0 critical condition 4. SPECIAL REDUCTIONS
S4 = 13% Max.
Structure Type
Safety Features
Thank you!