2. development of methods for system-wide condition monitoring; and

3. development of better ways to monitor environmental factors and manage by-products or residuals of infrastructure operation.

Nondestructive evaluation of the entire infrastructure is a key element in the effective management to insure maximum benefits to users and minimum costs to owners. Evaluation methods must deal with both surface and subsurface elements: e.g., street and highway and rail networks at grade, in tunnels, and on bridges; intermodal transfer facilities (e.g., ports and airports); pipelines and cable networks; and water supply and wastewater treatment facilities.

Current condition assessments, using both visual and mechanical non-destructive evaluation methods, are meant to provide data for deciding on effective maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement actions. Research on assessment methods could enhance timeliness and availability of information for decision making. Condition assessment of structures and site characterization are considered in this section.

Research on structures is relevant to a wide range of infrastructure. Bridges and electric-power or telecommunication transmission towers are perhaps the most obvious applications, followed closely by institutional buildings. However, the design and management of water and waste containment structures, highway pavements, and tunnels and pipelines have all been substantially improved by developments in such areas as finite-method analysis, characterization of dynamic loading, and stress-strain behavior of complex materials. Much of this work is done by professionals specializing in particular types of structures or materials.

Improved maintenance and rehabilitation of pavements could significantly decrease the cost of goods transport both in terms of truck operating expense and reduction of goods damage from rough roads. The same is true for rail networks since improved maintenance and rehabilitation can prevent damaging and costly derailments. Nondestructive testing is a part of this evaluation process. The SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program) provided impetus to methods for nondestructive pavement evaluation.¹ However, effort is still needed to assess pavement condition and structural capacity. In addition, improved methods for measuring the pavement profile are needed to minimize pavement damage and optimize packaging of goods as well as to establish roughness criteria for the emerging Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Systems.²

Front Matter (R1-R14)

Executive Summary (1-8)

Introduction (9-20)

The Context and Status of U.S. Infrastructure Research (21-36)

Systems Life-Cycle Management (37-48)

Analysis and Decision Tools (49-54)

Information Management (55-62)

Condition Assessment and Monitoring Technology (63-72)

Science of Materials Performance and Deterioration (73-80)

Construction Equipment and Procedures (81-94)

Technology Management (95-104)

Research Leading to Infrastructure Improvement (105-110)

References (111-113)

Acronyms (114-114)

Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff (115-118)

Appendix B: Prospectus (119-123)

Appendix C: Workshop Participants (124-125)

Appendix D: Methodology Employed in the Study (126-127)

Appendix E: Specific Technologies (128-129)