ABSTRACT:
Drainage infrastructure systems (culvert, storm sewer, outfall and
related drainage elements) are mostly buried underground and are in
need of special attention in terms of proactive/preventive asset
management strategy. Drainage infrastructure systems represent an
integral portion of roadway assets that routinely require inspection,
maintenance, repair and renewal. Further challenges are the wide
geospatial distribution of these infrastructure assets and
environmental exposure. There has been considerable research conducted
on culverts, but mostly looked at the problem from a traditional
structural/geotechnical perspective. The first and most
important step in an asset management initiative is the establishment
of mechanism for asset inventory and asset conditions in a format
compatible with the routine procedures of field operators and
inspectors. The first objective of this research project was to develop
field protocols and operational business rules for inventory data
collection and management and inspection of drainage infrastructures in
terms of types of data to be collected, frequency of inspection, and
analysis and reporting mechanisms. After review of these protocols by
the project oversight committee, a pilot study was conducted to verify
efficiency of their implementation. The condition assessment protocol
introduced is useful in evaluating the overall condition of culverts
and can be used for decision making regarding the repair, renewal or
replacement of culverts. For the second objective of this project,
investigators examined the inventory and inspection protocols employed
by Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and developed a decision
support platform, which establishes a link between the inspection
results and appropriate repair, renewal and replacement procedures.
After applying the recommended procedures, the transportation agencies
can better track the conditions of culverts thereby reducing the risks
of culvert failures.
Use of Trenchless Technologies for Culvert Renewal
ABSTRACT:
Due to an aging and rapidly deteriorating transportation infrastructure, agencies are facing the challenge of making quick and reliable decisions regarding the repair and renewal of their assets. While comprehensive asset management strategies have been developed for the visible components of the highway system, such as bridges and pavement, culverts and drainage structures are often neglected. The investigators recently completed an MRUTC project in which they have investigated the current culvert asset management practices of transportation agencies and also developed the inventory and inspection protocols necessary for establishing an effective culvert asset management program. This study builds upon the findings of the previous research project and focuses on the application of trenchless technologies for inspection, construction, repair and renewal of culverts. A literature search, a survey of departments of transportation and a survey of technology providers have been conducted to identify and characterize trenchless technology methods used for buried pipes. The limitations of trenchless technologies in terms of applicability to culverts are investigated. Steps of establishing a comprehensive culvert asset management strategy are identified. Based upon the findings a decision support system is developed which will help the decision makers identify the optimum repair/renewal procedures as a function of the condition of the culvert.