Function-Based Condition Indexing for Embankment Dams

Abstract

A total-systems approach is presented for the development of condition-indexing systems for aging civil engineering facilities that formalizes the necessary decision-making process. An application is given for embankment dams. A condition-indexing system is a tool that defines the physical state of a given facility or a portion thereof in terms of a numerical condition index. The index can be used as the criterion or as one among several criteria for prioritization of repair, evaluation, maintenance, and rehabilitation (REMR) expenditures among many similar systems. The proposed methodology will generate the essential elements of a condition-indexing system and includes the identification of specific objectives for REMR activities, the consideration of complex interactions between subunits of the facility, and the identification of critical system components. A condition-index vector is developed by considering the subunits of the facility repeatedly for the multiple REMR objectives. This vector can be converted into a scalar by applying weighting functions that describe the relative importance of each REMR objective.