Aging Infrastructure Research Articles

Development of Maintenance Management System for Real-Time Monitoring of Power Transformer to Improve Availability Performance: The Case of Tagamenda TANESCO Grid Substation

Power transformers are critical assets in TANESCO's grid substations, playing a vital role in ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply. However, the growing challenges of ageing infrastructure, increasing energy demand, and reactive maintenance practices often lead to unplanned outages, higher operational costs, and reduced transformer availability. This dissertation focuses on the Development of a Maintenance Management System for Real-Time Monitoring of Power Transformers at TANESCO grid substations, with the goal of improving availability performance. The study explores the design and implementation of a Real-Time Monitoring Management System (RTMMS), leveraging advanced sensors, data analytics, and predictive maintenance techniques. The RTMMS continuously monitors critical parameters such as temperature, oil levels, dissolved gases, and load conditions, providing real-time insights into transformer health. By integrating predictive analytics, the system identifies potential faults early, enabling timely interventions and reducing downtime. Additionally, it supports data-driven maintenance planning, enhances operational reliability, and extends transformer lifespan. The proposed system addresses challenges such as high initial costs, data management complexity, and resistance to technological change through phased deployment, secure cloud solutions, and comprehensive training programs. The expected benefits include improved transformer availability, cost efficiency, enhanced grid sustainability, and a shift from reactive to proactive maintenance practices. This research underscores the transformative potential of real-time monitoring systems in modernizing maintenance management and aligns TANESCO with global best practices in energy sector innovation and operational excellence.

Thirsting for solutions: Unpacking inadequate water provision in rural communities

Background: In South Africa, access to water is not equally spread across the population. As a result, 19% of those living in rural areas lack access to a dependable water source and 33% lack basic sanitation services.Aim: This study aimed to identify obstacles municipalities face in delivering water services to rural communities and challenges surrounding water scarcity.Setting: This study focused on the rural areas of the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative research approach was employed, with a case study design and an interpretivism paradigm. The data collection process utilised semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis to interpret the findings comprehensively.Results: Findings reveal that ageing infrastructure, ineffective governance structures, limited financial resources, and uneven distribution of water resources exacerbate the problem.Conclusion: Part of the recommendations is that significant investment is needed in upgrading water infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, and governance structures should be strengthened to ensure effective management and equitable distribution of water resources.Contribution: Through delineating strategic recommendations, this study identified the root causes behind insufficient water provision within rural communities. This contributes to the direction of policymaking efforts and expands its impact on future researchers within the field of public administration. Moreover, to bridge the gap between ensuring adequate water provision and promoting efficient water utilisation, it makes strategic proposals for improving water management and distribution, which will affect policymaking and future public administration research.

Digitalization of the Workflow for Drone-Assisted Inspection and Automated Assessment of Industrial Buildings for Effective Maintenance Management

Industrial buildings are a key element in the industrial fabric, and their maintenance is essential to ensure their proper functioning and avoid disruptions and costly economic losses. Continuous maintenance based on an accurate diagnosis makes it possible to meet the challenges of aging infrastructures, which demands a reliable data-based assessment for maintenance management implementing corrective and preventive actions, according to the damage criticality. This paper researches an innovative digitalized process for the inspection and diagnosis of industrial buildings, which leads to categorizing and prioritizing maintenance actions in an objective and cost-effective way from the inspection data. The process integrates some technical developments carried out in this work, aimed to automate the workflow: the drone-based inspection, the building condition assessment from the definition of a standardized construction pathology library, and a visual analysis of pathology evolution based on photogrammetry. The use of drones for digitalized inspection involves some challenges related to the positioning of the drone for damage localization, which has been herein overcome by developing a geo-annotation system for image acquisition. This system has also enabled the capture of geo-located images intended to generate 3D photogrammetric models for quantifying the pathological process evolution. Moreover, the assessment procedure outlined through multi-criteria decision-making methodology MIVES establishes a single criterion to automatically weight the relative importance of the damage defined in the library. As a result, this procedure yields the so-called Intervention Urgency Index (IUI), which allows prioritizing the maintenance actions associated with the damage while also considering economic criteria. In such a way, the overall process aims to increase reliability and consistency in the results of inspection and diagnosis needed for the effective maintenance management of industrial buildings.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to unlock Next-Generation SHM software: Advanced Feature Extraction and Damage Identification

The significant socio-economic impacts of aging infrastructure have driven the growing implementation of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) worldwide as a key preventive maintenance strategy. However, scaling SHM systems nationwide presents significant hardware and software challenges, particularly in managing densely instrumented structures and deploying effective damage identification algorithms. This explains the circumstance that most SHM software tools are custom-built by specialized research groups, limiting technology transfer. In this context, although still in its early stages, the latest advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer promising solutions to overcome these scalability issues. In this line, this work introduces the latest developments of MOVA/MOSS, a comprehensive SHM software platform developed by the authors that leverages AI to accelerate feature extraction in vibration-based systems and generate digital twins for quasi real-time damage identification. The potential of the developed platform is demonstrated through a real-world structure, the Mendez Nuñez Bridge in Spain, highlighting AI’s potential in facilitating the widespread adoption of SHM.

Strategic asset management in LNG Plants: A holistic approach to long-term planning, rejuvenation, and sustainability

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry plays a vital role in the global energy landscape, balancing growing energy demands with the imperative of reducing environmental impacts. However, the sector faces significant challenges, including aging infrastructure, the need for operational efficiency, and adherence to sustainability goals. This paper explores the role of strategic asset management (SAM) as a holistic solution for optimizing LNG plant operations. It introduces a comprehensive framework that integrates organizational, financial, and technical strategies, emphasizing long-term planning, rejuvenation, and sustainability. Key strategies, such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, and risk-based inspection methods, are discussed for their effectiveness in extending asset lifecycles and minimizing downtime. Furthermore, the paper underscores the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, renewable energy integration, and resilience planning in addressing climate risks and market volatility. Concluding with actionable recommendations, this paper provides a roadmap for stakeholders to adopt SAM practices, ensuring sustainable, resilient, and competitive LNG operations. Keywords: Liquefied Natural Gas, Strategic Asset Management, Sustainability, Predictive Maintenance, Digital Twin Technology, Resilience Planning.

Optimal Placement and Sizing of Modular Series Static Synchronous Compensators (M-SSSCs) for Enhanced Transmission Line Loadability, Loss Reduction, and Stability Improvement

This paper addresses the optimal placement and sizing of Modular Static Synchronous Series Compensators (M-SSSCs) to enhance power system performance. The proposed methodology optimizes four key objectives: reducing transmission line loadability, minimizing power losses, mitigating voltage deviations, and enhancing voltage stability using the L-index. The methodology is validated on two systems: the IEEE 14-bus test network and a sub-area of the Colombian power grid, characterized by aging infrastructure and operational challenges. The optimization process employs three metaheuristic algorithms—Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Teaching–Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO)—to identify optimal configurations. System performance is analyzed under both normal operating conditions and contingency scenarios (N − 1). The results demonstrate that M-SSSC deployment significantly reduces congestion, enhances voltage stability, and improves overall system efficiency. Furthermore, this work highlights the practical application of M-SSSC in modernizing real-world grids, aligning with sustainable energy transition goals. This study identifies the optimal M-SSSC configurations and placement alternatives for the analyzed systems. Specifically, for the Colombian sub-area, the most suitable solutions involve installing M-SSSC devices in capacitive mode on the Termocol–Guajira and Santa Marta–Guajira 220 kV transmission lines.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Level of Service Frameworks in Water Infrastructure Asset Management: Current Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions

This literature review examines the Level of Service (LoS) in water infrastructure asset management in the United States. LoS frameworks are crucial for measuring the quality and reliability of water services, encompassing regulatory compliance and stakeholder expectations. The review discusses existing research on LoS implementation, the challenges of aging infrastructure, and the urgent need for resilient water systems in the face of climate change and regulatory uncertainties. It highlights significant federal initiatives, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, while recognizing utilities' financial and regulatory challenges. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and the integration of emerging technologies in fulfilling current and future service expectations. The literature suggests redefining LoS frameworks to better align with contemporary needs, focusing on enhancing resilience and ensuring sustainable water service delivery. Ultimately, adapting LoS practices will be pivotal for addressing the evolving challenges within the water sector and meeting the demands of both regulators and the public. Keywords: Level of Service (LoS), Water Infrastructure, Asset Management, Resilience Stakeholder Engagement, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

A methodological framework for addressing environmental problems on aged transport infrastructure

While the environmental impacts of new road and motorway construction are examined in detail as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, far less attention is generally paid to existing structures, some of which have been in operation for decades with no environmental assessment ever carried out. In this paper, a framework for an audit of the assessment of environmental burdens from older transport infrastructure is presented. Its main objective is to set up a systematic and comprehensive approach to the preventive identification of problematic locations on the existing road network to prepare proposals for practical and feasible upgrading or optimization measures that can be addressed within the routine repairs and small reconstructions. It primarily deals with the setup of the whole process, starting with the preparation of the background for the assessment, the field survey procedure, the design of possible measures and their subsequent monitoring. The audit concept identified a total of 14 key problem domains representing individual environmental problems, for which methodological sheets were prepared. However, this is not a rigid number; the whole framework is conceived as an open system allowing for the addition of new topics or possible methodological adaptations to the practices common in other countries or in transport sectors other than roads. The audit is currently considered as a voluntary tool applicable on the state owned transport network, thus the practical usage is in the hands of the state administration and infrastructure operators.

Harvesting insights: Rural community members’ perceptions of agritourism in Oklahoma

Rural communities face significant challenges such as persistent poverty, aging infrastructure, food insecurity, and natural disasters. With agriculture as a primary focus, these communities increasingly depend on external income and technology. Agritourism offers a promising solution by allowing farmers to diversify their income streams while promoting rural development. In Oklahoma, there are over 400 agritourism venues (USDA NASS, 2022). However, urbanization and climate change continue to reshape the agricultural landscape, affecting farmers and rural communities. This study examines the perceptions of agritourism among rural citizens in southwest Oklahoma and its potential for rural development. Utilizing the Community Capitals Framework (Flora et al., 2006) and Chase et al. (2018) agritourism framework, the study surveyed 159 residents, revealing a generally positive perception of agritourism as beneficial for communities and agriculture. Despite recognizing its benefits, respondents indicated a need for more guidance on how to engage in agritourism. The findings suggest that although there is awareness and appreciation of agritourism, there is also a significant opportunity for expansion and support. Extension services and state agencies are recommended to provide targeted education and training to maximize agritourism's economic and community development potential in rural areas.

Inferring failure risk of on-site wastewater systems from physical and social factors

Aging infrastructure and climate change present emerging challenges for clean water supply and reliable wastewater services for communities in the United States (US). In Georgia, for example, the failure rates of on-site wastewater systems (OWTS) have increased from 10% to 35% in the last two decades as the systems age. In this work, we develop a hierarchical Bayesian model to understand the different contributions of physical and social factors driving OWTS failures using a long-term collection of 201,000 Georgia’s OWTS inspection records. The out-of-sample validation accuracy of our hierarchical Bayesian model is 70% within Georgia, outperforming other machine learning models that do not consider the multiscale nature of the problem. Overall, we find counties that experience more extreme precipitation and are situated in steeper-sloped regions are significantly associated with increased failure risks. Uncertainties, meanwhile, are largely associated with counties experiencing more precipitation and have lower median housing value.

Aging Midstream Supply Chain in the Oil and Gas Industry: Issues and AI-Based Solutions

The paper attempts to identify supply chain issues in the midstream sector of the oil and gas industry due to aging infrastructure. We identify four key issues – safety, regulatory compliance, cost, and supply chain optimization. We used extant literature to assess the potential impact of the aging infrastructure on the aforesaid four issues. We investigate the possible solutions based on emerging artificial intelligence technologies and suggest applications of the same. Suggested solutions are based on our investigation into the oil and gas and technology industries, making our research interdisciplinary.

Regional bridge risk assessment due to the combined effect of flooding and overloading events in Manitoba

The challenges experienced by Canada’s aging infrastructure require probabilistic methods to address the threats that bridge systems are exposed to. This study provides a framework to evaluate risk associated with two major bridge hazards such as flooding and overloading in Manitoba. The probability of failure of highway bridges due to overloading is assessed as a function of traffic volume and overweight percentages. The probability of failure due to flooding is obtained from a spatial analysis of the water levels. Finally, consequences of failure are established from the analysis of insurance exposure, including climate change effects. Historic data are projected ten years into the future through an ARIMA model. The results of the analysis show that the risk for bridges in the south-west regions of Manitoba is expected to increase by 2035 up to 40% for water levels of 3.0 m and up to 0.6% for a threshold of 12.0 m.

Advancing process safety management systems in the oil and gas industry: Strategies for risk mitigation

Process Safety Management (PSM) is critical for mitigating operational risks and enhancing worker safety in the oil and gas industry. This paper explores the essential components of PSM systems, such as hazard analysis, incident investigation, and management of change, highlighting the role of safety culture, leadership, and accountability. Key challenges in implementing effective PSM, including aging infrastructure and compliance issues, and lessons learned from industry incidents are examined. The paper presents strategies for improving risk mitigation through advanced technologies like digital tools, predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and continuous workforce training and engagement. The findings underscore the need for a balanced approach that integrates human oversight with technology to ensure more effective risk management. Recommendations include further investments in digital transformation, stronger leadership commitment to safety, and collaborative efforts with regulatory bodies to improve industry standards. The oil and gas sector can significantly reduce risks and improve operational safety by adopting these strategies.

Comparing Water Treatment Systems in China and Canada: Technologies, Policies, and Historical Contexts

Water treatment is a challenge to every country, given the diversity of its environmental, industrial, and demographic situations. The paper delineates the historical development, technological innovations, and policy frameworks regarding water treatment systems in China and Canada. The huge population and rapid industrialization within China have forced investments in advanced technologies, such as membrane bioreactors and chemical precipitation, for the treatment of industrial pollutants. Contrary to this, in view of its abundant freshwaters, Canada promoted more emphasis on biological treatments, such as constructed wetlands and activated sludge, for the remediation of organic and microbial contaminants. The paper also compares the two countries based on their management of municipal and industrial wastewater, agricultural run-off, and energy sector pollution. The drawbacks, however, are matched to the advantages because although centralized governance can implement large-scale technologies, rurality still lacks such access. The decentralized Canadian system allows room for localized solutions but at the cost of struggling with lax consistency in enforcement and aging infrastructure, especially where Indigenous communities live. This paper provides a comparative analysis to give an insight of how those two countries can learn from each other to improve water management and sustainability on a global level.

Corrosion attack in existing reinforced concrete structures: in-field investigation and analysis of naturally corroded bars

Corrosion of steel bars is a major issue for the management of existing reinforced concrete structures, since affecting many ageing structures and infrastructures and introducing risk for safety and reliability, as well as high maintenance costs. Intervention strategies should be planned and carried out according to the effective state of deterioration and to the expected evolution of performances over time. The critical parameters needed to evaluate these performances are the intensity and pattern of the corrosion attack, referring to both extension and depth of the attack. However, this information is rarely available and hard to predict when dealing with real structures. This paper presents a field investigation on existing corroded structures characterized by different environmental conditions. Corroded bars were removed from structural elements, the corrosion patterns were studied, and then the bars were tested to determine their mechanical properties. The objective of this study is to increase the knowledge of the effects of corrosion in natural environments and to propose a method to relate easy-measurable environmental conditions with the characteristics of the expected corrosion attack, which need to be further validated.

Utilizing Dual Polarized Array GPR System for Shallow Urban Road Pavement Foundation in Environmental Studies: A Case Study

Maintaining the integrity of urban road pavements is vital for public safety, transportation efficiency, and economic stability. However, aging infrastructure and limited budgets make it challenging to detect subsurface defects that can lead to pavement collapses. Traditional inspection methods are often inadequate for identifying such underground anomalies. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), especially dual-polarized array systems, offers a non-destructive, high-resolution solution for subsurface inspection. Despite its potential, effectively detecting and analyzing areas at risk of collapse in urban pavements remains a challenge. This study employed a dual-polarized array GPR system to inspect road pavements in London. The research involved comprehensive field testing, including data acquisition, signal processing, calibration, background noise removal, and 3D migration for enhanced imaging. Additionally, Short-Fourier Transform Spectrum (SFTS) analysis was applied to detect moisture-related anomalies. The results show that dual-polarized GPR systems effectively detect subsurface issues like voids, cracks, and moisture-induced weaknesses. The ability to capture data in multiple polarizations improves resolution and depth, enabling the identification of collapse-prone areas, particularly in regions with moisture infiltration. This study demonstrates the practical value of dual-polarized GPR technology in urban pavement inspection, offering a reliable tool for early detection of subsurface defects and contributing to the longevity and safety of road infrastructure.

The Role of Universities in the Development of “Smart Cities”: Foreign and Russian Experience

The “Smart city” concept was introduced in 1994 and since then has been actively implemented in city management, including in the Russian Federation. Despite the fact that a large part of researchers reduces a smart city to the modernization of aging infrastructure through digitalization, practice shows that technology in itself is rarely a solution to urban problems; it is necessary to develop, first of all, the social aspects of management simultaneously with the introduction of appropriate technological solutions. The development of a sociocentric dimension of management of urban systems involves the involvement of various actors in the development and implementation of initiatives of public authorities, including universities. The purpose of this study is based on the study of foreign and domestic cases, to highlight the forms of interaction between universities and local governments and determine the role of universities in the formation and development of smart cities.The work used the method of analysis and synthesis, comparison and synthesis of information, the method of induction and deduction. The information base for the study was the materials of the Urban Digitalization Index “IQ of Cities”, regulations aimed at the development of smart cities in the Russian Federation, and the authors’ own research.Based on the data, the role of universities in the formation and development of smart cities in Russia and foreign countries was determined, the main forms of cooperation between universities and other actors in the process of developing smart cities were identified, recommendations were developed for the development of cooperation between universities and public authorities in the implementation of the departmental project “Smart City”.The experience of Russian and foreign cities shows the existence of a relationship between the degree of involvement of universities in the implementation of the smart city project and the results of intellectualization and digitalization of the urban economy. The critical role of universities is to promote socially oriented management, as opposed to the chaotic digitalization of individual processes of urban management and data collection, without further analysis. To expand the practice of involving universities in the development of Smart Cities, a number of recommendations are proposed.

Structural Behavior of Full-Depth Deck Panels Having Developed Closure Strips Reinforced with GFRP Bars and Filled with UHPFRC

The adoption of prefabricated elements and systems (PBES) in accelerating bridge construction (ABC) and rapidly replacing aging infrastructure has attracted considerable attention from bridge authorities. These prefabricated components facilitate quick assembly, which diminishes the environmental footprint at the construction site, alleviates delays and lane closures, reduces disruption for the traveling public, and ultimately conserves both time and taxpayer resources. The current paper explores the structural behavior of a reinforced concrete (RC) precast full-depth deck panel (FDDP) having 175 mm projected glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars embedded into a 200 mm wide closure strip filled with ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). Three joint details for moment-resisting connections (MRCs), named the angle joint, C-joint, and zigzag joint, were constructed and loaded to collapse. The controlled slabs and mid-span-connected precast FDDPs were statically loaded to collapse under concentric or eccentric wheel loading. The moment capacity of the controlled slab reinforced with GFRP bars compared with the concrete slab reinforced with steel reinforcing bars was less than 15% for the same reinforcement ratio. The precast FDDPs showed very similar results to those of the controlled slab reinforced with GFRP bars. The RC slab reinforced by steel reinforcing bars failed in the flexural mode, while the slab reinforced by GFRP bars failed in flexural-shear one.

Mitigating aging infrastructure risks: An optimized epoxy resin system for water supply pipeline rehabilitation

Urban water supply networks are crucial for ensuring the delivery of safe drinking water to urban populations; however, the aging infrastructure in these systems has led to a rising incidence of leaks and frequent pipeline failures, posing serious risks. Traditional repair approaches encounter limitations in terms of efficiency, durability, and environmental safety, particularly when employed in potable water pipelines. To address these challenges, we developed a novel multi-component amine-cured epoxy resin system specifically optimized for in-situ curing under ambient conditions. This study comprehensively examines the mechanical properties, water absorption behavior, and curing kinetics of this resin system, formulated to reduce volatile organic compound emissions while enhancing durability under prolonged water exposure. Experimental findings demonstrate that the E2 formulation exhibited superior tensile strength, flexural properties, and fracture toughness relative to other formulations, with a two-stage water absorption model accurately predicting resin behavior in moisture-laden environments. Moreover, finite element modeling and laboratory testing confirmed the influence of bubble defects on mechanical performance, and a negative pressure defoaming technique effectively reduced defect volume, resulting in a 17.6 % improvement in tensile strength. Collectively, this research advances the practical application of rapid-curing resins, offering a resilient, safe, and sustainable solution for the rehabilitation of aging water pipeline networks.

Sustainable Water Management Solutions for Urban Areas

The management of water resources is a serious concern in urban areas because of the effects of climate change, aging infrastructure, and rapid population increase. This essay examines the vital significance of sustainable water management in urban settings, emphasizing cutting-edge frameworks for policy and technology that can improve water resilience and efficiency. Successful strategies, such as demand management and diversification of the water supply, are demonstrated by case studies like Windhoek, Namibia. In order to solve the intricate and interrelated problems of urban water scarcity, infrastructure constraints, and environmental repercussions, the essay emphasizes integrated water resources management (IWRM) as a crucial technique that incorporates multidisciplinary viewpoints. In order to guarantee a sustainable urban water future, the importance of inclusive policies and governance is also covered, highlighting the necessity of cooperative and flexible problemsolving techniques.