1. The economics of aging infrastructure

 

Abstract:

Eventually, every system will age to a sustainable point at which repair and replacement costs driven by advanced equipment age and deterioration from long service will remain constant thereafter. The good news is that equipment data, condition assessment, prioritization, and management focus can significantly reduce costs, extend lifetimes, and improve reliability. The bad news is that even when optimized to the extent possible, in the long run, utilities will need more money in order to maintain their systems at the lowest life-cycle cost. Many regulatory agencies and customers will push back and insist that spending related to aging infrastructure be reasonably justified, but limiting a utility’s ability to manage its aging equipment will eventually result in lower levels of reliability and higher rates in the future.

 

Citation:

Brown, Richard E., and H. Lee Willis. “The economics of aging infrastructure.” IEEE Power and Energy Magazine 4, no. 3 (2006): 36-43.

 

URL:

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1632452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Reliability and Maintainability Improvement of Substations with Aging Infrastructure

 

Abstract:

The increasing size, aging equipment, and complexity of power systems, coupled with present day financial constraints, have made the use of probabilistic methods and reliability indices a necessity for maintaining continuity and quality of service to customers. Proper maintenance-related decisions should address all of these issues to improve system reliability while meeting limited budget constraints. This paper proposes algorithms that enable system-level reliability assessment with detailed modeling of maintenance for aging equipment. Stochastic-based reliability modeling of substations with aging equipment is presented, which enables the study of equipment aging, failures, and maintenance and their effect on substation-level availability and frequency of failure. Several case studies are provided which describe optimization of maintenance activities and the impact on maximum substation reliability. The algorithms provide a valuable tool for processing detailed models of aging equipment and maintenance of individual pieces in system reliability assessment applications. These algorithms are consistent with existing reliability models and are capable of being integrated into utility asset-management programs.

 

Citation:

Ge, Haifeng, and Sohrab Asgarpoor. “Reliability and maintainability improvement of substations with aging infrastructure.” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 27, no. 4 (2012): 1868-1876.

 

URL:

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6220894

 

 

 

 

3. Self-healing material concepts as solution for aging infrastructure

 

Abstract:

The rapidly growing world population and booming economies are two of the major reasons for an increasing demand for buildings and infrastructure. In order to meet these needs large amounts of energy and raw materials are required. In most cases concrete is the main building material for these structures. The question today is how these needs can be accomplished without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Brundlandt). In this paper first the urgency of this question is explained from the perspective of the building industry. Emphasis is put on the consequences of the lack of quality and related failure costs. This lack of quality results in premature maintenance and repair or even decommissioning and demolishing of structures. But even good quality structures do suffer from aging of the materials from which these structures were built. Given this fact, it is considered a great challenge to design materials with an inherent potential to heal themselves once any kind of deterioration or aging starts. That would extend the service life of concrete structures and, hence, mitigate the pressure on the need of raw materials and energy for new built. But how realistic are self healing concepts? Are they reliable and affordable and is it possible to estimate the potentials savings by using self-healing materials? These are the questions to be addressed in this contribution.

 

Citation:

van Breugel, Klaas. “Self-healing material concepts as solution for aging infrastructure.” In 37th Conference on Our World in Concrete & Structures, pp. 1051-1057. 2012.

URL:

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/76bb/39955f836e5ef38fd88af3ea11d580647d5b.pdf

 

 

 

 

4. Predictive engineering for aging infrastructure

 

Abstract:

This paper presents an overview of the emerging field of predictive engineering. This is an integrated approach to life-cycle analysis, system monitoring, and management and usable-life prediction that is built on life assurance methodologies, measurements, data analysis and the application of predictive models applied to critical structures and systems. The science and technology that is now becoming predictive engineering has been developing over a period of nearly 30 years. Research is currently in progress to develop predictive engineering for application to critical defense infrastructure and systems, including units in the national conventional munitions stockpile, and to extend its application to elements in the critical national infrastructure.

 

Citation:

Bond, Leonard J. “Predictive engineering for aging infrastructure.” In Nondestructive Evaluation of Utilities and Pipelines III, vol. 3588, pp. 2-14. International Society for Optics and Photonics, 1999.

 

URL:

https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/3588/0000/Predictive-engineering-for-aging-infrastructure/10.1117/12.339938.full

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Sustaining the Nation’s Aging Infrastructure Systems:

Lessons Learned Applying an Asset Management Framework

 

Abstract:

Infrastructure systems permeate society at both the personal and business levels. These systems are taken for granted, but the implications of system breakdowns are staggering and directly impact our national competitiveness, having both immediate consequences and long lasting effects on the local, regional and national economies. Many of the infrastructure systems found in the United States have been in place far beyond their design lives. How does an organization manage these aging assets given constrained resources? This paper presents an innovative research and problem formulation method created as part of an effort by the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ to develop an Asset Management Framework (AMF) to manage its aging civil infrastructure assets.

 

This paper outlines the development of the framework using an intent-driven command and control approach, grounded by the input from dozens of practitioners, gathered through a series of interviews, surveys, and field studies. The paper describes mechanisms used to bring together economists, biologists, civil engineers, and others to create a robust AMF.

 

The AMF will be illustrated showing transparent integration of preservation and risk mitigation initiatives, as well as budget and resource allocation processes supporting a lifecycle investment strategy for sustainability across the entire agency. The Framework’s scope includes oversight of much of America’s watersheds covering 1,000 coastal structures, 800 dams, 250 navigation locks, 75 hydropower plants and other assorted facilities. Lessons learned in developing this system are provided, along with its current status. The implications of this work to other industries and pubic sector agencies will be examined.

 

 

 

Citation:

Hale, David, G. Gibson, Richard Woolridge, and Claude Stogner. “Sustaining the Nation’s Aging Infrastructure Systems: Lessons Learned Applying an Asset Management Framework.” (2008).

 

URL:

https://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=638096082013125023064013022024089091053039023004022060096114023072001091091016087005100007032007024026014126110077016029007077045005010079051070018094088075018105006008015070008119120083093102121115104066124066027116017123022122100066076092065096065&EXT=pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Managing the Risk of Aging Infrastructure

 

Abstract:

In addition to a degradation of expected service levels, failures of aging infrastructures also pose the risk of secondary, cascading effects which can have impacts far beyond a simple loss of service. This paper attempts to demonstrate, through a review of three notable 21st century infrastructure failures; i.e., the 2003 electrical blackout in the NE United States, the 2005 levee failures in New Orleans, and the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant damage following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, that cascading infrastructures failures typically have common roots. These roots are not generally technological in nature and absent significant changes in organizational and regulatory mindsets, are not readily amenable to improved engineering or other technical safeguards. The primary factor contributing to the emergence of this risk is the prevalence of perverse incentives that typically place long-term and somewhat ethereal goals such as safety at a comparative disadvantage to shorter term economic or social objectives. These perverse incentives arise for a number of reasons including asymmetry of timescales, social dynamics, and conflicts among values and the perception of a threat.

1. Identifying the Risk

2. Managing the Risk

3. Lessons Learned

 

Citation:

Little, Richard G. “Managing the Risk of Aging infrastructure.” IRGC, Public Sector Governance of Emerging Risks Council, Infrastructure Case (2012).

 

URL:

http://www.irgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/R.-Little_Risk-of-Aging-Infrastructure_revision-Nov2012.pdf

 

7. Stimulated dual-band infrared computed tomography: a tool to inspect the aging infrastructure

 

Abstract:

We have developed stimulated dual-band infrared (IR) computed tomography as a tool to inspect the aging infrastructure. Our system has the potential to locate and quantify structural damage within airframes and bridge decks. Typically, dual-band IR detection methods improve the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of ten, compared to single-band IR detection methods. We conducted a demonstration at Boeing using a uniform pulsed-heat source to stimulate IR images of hidden defects in the 727 fuselage. Our dual-band IR camera and image processing system produced temperature, thermal inertia, and cooling-rate maps. In combination, these maps characterized the defect site, size, depth, thickness, and type. We quantified the percent metal loss from corrosion above a threshold of 5%, with overall uncertainties of 3%. Also, we conducted a feasibility study of dual-band IR thermal imaging for bridge deck inspections. We determined the sites and relative concrete displacement of 12- in. and 4-in. deep delaminations from thin styrofoam implants in asphalt-covered concrete slabs. We demonstrated the value of dual-band IR computed tomography to quantify structural damage within flash-heated airframes and naturally heated bridge decks.

 

Citation:

DelGrande, Nancy, and Philip F. Durbin. “Stimulated dual-band infrared computed tomography: a tool to inspect the aging infrastructure.” In Infrared Technology XXI, vol. 2552, pp. 292-302. International Society for Optics and Photonics, 1995.

 

URL:

https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/2552/0000/Stimulated-dual-band-infrared-computed-tomography–a-tool-to/10.1117/12.218230.full

 

 

8. Aging Infrastructure and Ecosystem Restoration

 

Abstract:

As a result of recent infrastructure fail ures, particularly the tragic failure of the Interstate-35 bridge in Minnesota, the U.S. Senate passed the National Infra structure Improvement Act (NilA), which would create the National Commission on the Infrastructure of the U.S.A. The commission’s broad mandate would be to assess the nation’s infrastructure and its ability to meet current and future demands. Such policy develop ment coincides with ongoing efforts to manage and restore degraded ecosystems. This provocative intersection of aging infrastruc ture and environmental degradation provides unprecedented and largely unappreciated opportunities for ecosystem restoration

 

Citation:

Doyle, Martin W., Emily H. Stanley, David G. Havlick, Mark J. Kaiser, George Steinbach, William L. Graf, Gerald E. Galloway, and J. Adam Riggsbee. “Aging Infrastructure and Ecosystem Restoration.” Science 319, no. 5861 (2008): 286-87. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20052009.

 

URL:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/20052009.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3A299a75d44f1609682b461d3a5a823669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Our Crumbling Infrastructure: How the Aging of America’s Infrastructure is a Homeland Security Concern

 

Abstract:

Americans are an automotive nation.  We celebrate our cars and we revel in the freedom of the open road.  Much of this car culture is due to our extensive network of interstate highways and bridges that cris-cross the nation connecting the nation. This is part of our critical infrastructure and built as a part of our national defense plan.  Presidents continue to address the importance of this network of roads.  The new focus on terrorism has the government looking at all parts of the infrastructure for vulnerabilities and ways to protect them.  While the highways and bridges are part of the critical infrastructure, they have been neglected in the most basic need to keep them well maintained and in good repair.  This paper addresses both the costs of this maintenance and repair and some potential reasons for the neglect.

 

Citation:

Liles, Sydney, and S. Liles. “Our Crumbling Infrastructure: How the Aging of America’s Infrastructure is a Homeland Security Concern.” Month (2008).

 

URL:

http://selil.com/archives/260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. America’s infrastructure: How to avoid the road to ruin

 

Abstract:

This paper examines the deteriorating condition of US infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers has rated the condition of the country’s infrastructure, by major category, since 1988. The results of the most recent 2005 rating are compared with the 1988 rating. In the nearly two decades between the two ratings, the condition of US infrastructure has declined from a ‘C-‘ to a ‘D’ grade. This paper considers the fiscal crisis, how the condition of US infrastructure impacts on economic development, and the need for national leadership to address these major issues. The responsibility of state and local officials is also examined. The paper also provides a list of further reading and online resources. It is hoped that public officials in other nations can learn from the US experience and avoid some of the issues examined here.

 

Citation:

Roger L., Kemp. 2008. “America’s infrastructure: How to avoid the road to ruin.” Journal Of Public Works & Infrastructure 1, no. 3: 249-255. Business Source Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed July 12, 2018).

 

URL:

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=c235796f-07e5-418e-95b0-41d60959e72b%40sessionmgr4008&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWlwLGNvb2tpZSx1cmwsdWlkJnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=38607077&db=buh

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Critical Infrastructure Protection: Maintenance is National Security

 

Abstract:

U.S. critical infrastructure protection (CIP) necessitates both the provision of security from internal and external threats and the repair of physically damaged critical infrastructure which may disrupt services. For years, the U.S. infrastructure has been deteriorating, triggering enough damage and loss of life to give cause for major concern. CIP is typically only addressed after a major disaster or catastrophe due to the extreme scrutiny that follows these events. In fact, CIP has been addressed repeatedly since Presidential Decision Directive Sixty-Three (PDD Sixty-Three) signed by President Bill Clinton on May Twenty-Second, 1998.[1] This directive highlighted critical infrastructure as “a growing potential vulnerability” and recognized that the United States has to view the U.S. national infrastructure from a security perspective due to its importance to national and economic security. CIP must be addressed in a preventive, rather than reactive, manner.[2] As such, there are sixteen critical infrastructure sectors, each with its own protection plan and unique natural and man-made threats, deteriorations, and risks. A disaster or attack on any one of these critical infrastructures could cause serious damage to national security and possibly lead to the collapse of the entire infrastructure.

 

Citation:

Hemme, Kris. “Critical infrastructure protection: Maintenance is national security.” Journal of Strategic Security 8, no. 5 (2015): 3.

 

URL:

http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1471&context=jss