Development of Performance and Deterioration Curves as a Rational Basis for a Maintenance Management System for Structures

Report No: 94-R1

Published in 1993

About the report:

The Virginia Department of Transportation is deeply committed to the development and implementation of an efficient, cost-effective maintenance management system for its bridges. Much effort is being applied towards the development of a management system that will ensure that appropriate maintenance takes place at the optimum times. Within such systems, the ability to anticipate with reasonable accuracy how rapidly and in what fashion bridges will deteriorate is essential in optimizing expenditures of limited maintenance funds. The research described in this report was undertaken to provide this predictive capability. Specifically, the objective was to use existing bridge inspection data in conjunction with multiple regression analyses to develop models relating the rate of deterioration of structural components with variables such as age, loadings, and environmental factors and to evaluate the relative importance of these variables. In addition, these efforts include a discussion of current bridge management activities and recommendations on needed modifications to the VDOT record-keeping system.

Documents

94-R1

_{Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.}

Authors

Kevin K. McGhee, P.E., Wallace T. McKeel, Jr., P.E., Gary R. Allen, Ph.D.

Last updated: December 23, 2023