ABSTRACT
Structural systems are under deterioration due to aging, mechanical stressors, and harsh environment, among other threats. Corrosion and fatigue can cause gradual structural deterioration. Moreover, natural and man-made hazards may lead to a sudden drop in the structural performance. Under the combined effects of these threats, civil and marine infrastructure systems are expected to perform their intended function while maintaining acceptable safety, serviceability, and functionality levels. Inspection, repair, and maintenance actions are performed to monitor the structural safety and maintain the performance over certain thresholds. However, these actions must be effectively planned throughout the life-cycle of a system to ensure the optimum budget allocation and maximum possible service life without adverse effects on the safety of the structural system. In this context, life-cycle engineering provides rational means to optimize life-cycle aspects, starting from the initial design and construction to dismantling and replacing the system at the end of its service life. Within the last decades, several approaches have been proposed to provide decision-makers with rational life-cycle management strategies for deteriorating structural systems. This paper presents a brief overview of the recent research achievements in the field of life-cycle engineering for civil and marine structural systems and indicates future directions. Different aspects of the life-cycle engineering are presented. These aspects include the performance prediction under uncertainty, optimization of life-cycle cost and intervention activities, as well as the role of structural health monitoring and non-destructive testing techniques in supporting the life-cycle management decisions. Risk, resilience, sustainability, and their integration into the life-cycle management are also discussed.
