Condition Index Assessment for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works

Abstract

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is developing uniform condition assessment procedures for many of its civil works structures. The collected data are to be used in conjunction with other methodologies to focus and prioritize operations and maintenance expenditures for a wide variety of a large number of (often multipurpose) structures. The condition assessment is based upon objective and repeatable measurements, which, when processed by an algorithm, produce a numeric indicator, the Condition Index (CI). The CI is a number between 0 and 100 that is a gauge of the physical deterioration of a structure. For many structural components the CI also serves as an index of functional performance. As an indicator of the condition of the structure (or functionality) the CIs are useful to maintenance managers and engineers at all hierarchical levels of management within the Corps. This article reviews the inception, approach, development, and current status of the Corps of Engineers CI program. Illustrative examples...