Life-cycle performance of civil structure and infrastructure systems

The recent advances accomplished in the fields of modeling, analysis, design, maintenance and rehabilitation of deteriorating civil structure and infrastructure systems are hence perceived to be at the heart of a modern approach to structural engineering. These advances are of crucial importance to establish guiding policies and support decision-making processes for reliable design of durable structures and rational planning of maintenance, repair, or replacement of existing structures. Furthermore, the availability of quantitative life-cycle performance metrics allows to effectively incorporate emerging issues in structural design, such as the effects of global warming and climate change. Societal issues in adopting life-cycle concepts in the decision-making process may also play an important role within the political system to comply with the different methods, metrics, needs and priorities addressed by public officials, civil infrastructure users, and owners.