Decision Support Tools for Concrete Infrastructure Rehabilitation [Setunge, RMIT] 2002-005-C

Overview

The objective of the project is to develop a decision support tool to enable asset managers of concrete infrastructure to select the most suitable technique for rehabilitating of aging concrete structures using FRP composites.

The decision support tool will include:

• Assessment of extension of economic life in compliance with the current design philosophy of the Australian Concrete Structures Code – Cost/benefit analysis of construction procedures
• Assessment of effects of intervention of deterioration at different stages of the lifecycle Development of the decision support tool will require analysis of;

(i) Current national and international research and practice, and in particular research in USA and Japan to identify, established and emerging rehabilitation techniques using FRP composites in reinforced concrete structures, with particular relevance to Australian conditions.
(ii) Innovative and refined methods of structural strength calculation and simple evaluation techniques.
(iii) Social and environmental effects on using FRP composites for rehabilitation (reduction of work zone delays, reduction in pollution, reduction in the need for machinery etc.)
(iv) whole-of-life costs (installation, operational and maintenance costs) associated with rehabilitation projects using FRP composites
(v) Methods and models for development of design methods
(vi) Case study information to guide calibration.