Stanton, Michael (2018) Developing a Maintenance Framework for Culverts. [USQ Project]
Abstract
This project develops an inspection framework for culverts. This inspection framework utilises images of previously assessed culvert elements to more correctly assess current culvert elements. These culvert element condition states are then used to generate a structural condition state for the culvert. Finally, a damage index can is found, and general recommendations made as to maintain, rehabilitate or replace the structure.
Annually, many lives are forfit while countless structures and infrastructure is damaged due to flooding. As a result of the 2011 flood, 19 people died in the Lockyer Valley. Infrastructure damaged in the Lockyer Valley region include 1100/1400km of road, 40/48 bridges, 512/2500 culverts and 192/330 floodways. The total cost, state wide in Queensland, exceeded $5 billion. It is envisioned that by creating more resilient culverts and other road based hydraulic structures less lives will be lost, and finances will be utilised in more constructive endeavours. This project utilises the data and infrastructure of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC)
Preliminary research was undertaken to determine what other research had been conducted to develop more resilient culverts and other road based hydraulic structures. As all the culverts located within the LVRC are concrete based, the causes and indicators of concrete deterioration were investigated. It is important to know the causes and indicators of concrete deterioration when dealing with concrete structures because some signs of deterioration is difficult to fathom while some concrete damage may appear to have stress causes but may instead be construction errors.
Research was undertaken into current methods of road based hydraulic structure management. These include condition state assessment and routine maintenance practices at different levels.
Data was sourced from the asset management department of the LVRC. This included comprehensive records and some images of culverts. This data was organised from eight (8) databases into one (1). This process was done to gain a clearer understanding of, if any, deterioration or rehabilitation of the structures. Then, the images were examined to determine if there were any gaps in the condition state of each of the culvert elements. It was determined that there were significant gaps and that new images were required to create an image database for culvert inspection.
Site visits were then undertaken to attain the images required. Several images were then examined by an experienced culvert inspector to classify each culvert element. These images were then expanded on to create an image database for future culvert inspections.
A case study was then undertaken to determine the validity and ease of using the inspection framework for culverts.
It was determined that the case study returned the same condition state for the culvert as the last recorded inspection. The inspection framework for culverts enables for the continual record keeping of culvert elements. These records could be used for future deterioration modelling of culvert elements and structures.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Lokuge, Weena; Karunasena, Karu |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Aug 2022 04:41 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Sep 2022 02:33 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | culverts; inspection framework |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/40670 |
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