Title: Development of a standard data structure for wastewater pipe performance management

Authors: Thiti Angkasuwansiri; Sunil Sinha

Addresses: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 115 Patton Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 200 Patton Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

Abstract: The accurate prediction of wastewater pipe structural and functional deterioration plays an essential role in the utility asset management process and capital investment planning. The limitations of deterioration prediction capabilities are in the lack of accurate and consistent performance data, or not well-understood interdependencies of the pipeline performance parameters. Thus, the primary objective of this paper is to develop a standard data structure to support the performance prediction of wastewater pipe remaining life. This paper presents the life cycle, failure modes and mechanisms, and data structure of wastewater pipe that has been completed with results from intensive literature reviews, various interviews with utilities, consultants, and pipe associations. In this research, the authors investigated the lifecycle of wastewater pipes, identifying the causes of pipe failure in different phases, including design, manufacture, construction, operation and maintenance, and repair/rehabilitation/replacement. The data structure was classified into gold, silver, bronze, and wood standards.

Keywords: asset management; failure modes and mechanisms; wastewater infrastructure system; structural and operational deteriorations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEAM.2018.092207

International Journal of Strategic Engineering Asset Management, 2018 Vol.3 No.2, pp.90 - 108

Accepted: 27 Feb 2017
Published online: 11 Jun 2018 *

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