CE412 Infrastructure

25. One technique for estimating service life is a survivor curve. Define what a survivor curve is (in words and/or pictures) and describe how to use a survivor curve to estimate service life.

A survivor curve plots the number/percentage of units that survive in service at a given age. Area under the curve is a measure of the average service life.

27. Choosing from the following ranges (1-5 years, 20-30 years, 40-50 years, 80-100 years), what is the typical design service life for: a) Road Pavements, b) Dams or tunnels

A) 20-30 years B) 40-50 years

4. Discuss the impacts of an automobile/truck-based society on future infrastructure needs and the ability to serve these needs.

An automobile/truck-based society requires more developed/durable roadways than those used before their invention and more readily available fuel sources. Along with all of this development comes the need for maintenance; supply, demand.

2. How does infrastructure affect future development patterns? Give and example. Should infrastructure planning control more closely the shape of our future urban areas? Support your decision with logical arguments.

Failing to plan infrastructure impedes the development of society. I-10 is an example of how infrastructure affects future development patterns. It has put Mobile on the map as a major hub on the way to popular tourist destinations, such as Gulf Shores. Yes it should, lack of planning regarding infrastructure inhibits urban development.

31. Proactive maintenance means that professional maintenance is scheduled on an active basis whenever a component fails.

False

32. Quality control is applied by the eventual owner of a project to make sure that the contractor delivers what is promised.

False

33. Public works agencies readily accept new materials and methods in order to use the latest technology.

False

29. Give the definitions of hard-time replacement and on-condition maintenance.

Hard-time Replacement (HTR): done after a certain length of time, regardless of condition On-condition Maintenance: done in response to condition monitoring indicating impending deterioration or failure

19. Describe the 4 Information Quality Levels (IQL) and typical uses of each level.

I.Most comprehensive level of detail; used for high-level project design II.Level of detail sufficient for programming models and standard design methods III.Level of detail sufficient for planning and standard programming models for full network coverage IV.Level suitable for the simplest planning and programming models; suitable for standardized road-design catalogs

37. Discuss the typical influences controlling the layout of sewers within the road right-of-way. Also discuss the alignment and manhole placement requirements for typical sewers.

Influences controlling layout: •System characteristics - e.g. minimum depth, slope •Need to cross other services for building connections Alignment and manhole placement requirements for typical sewers:

What is the difference between maintenance and rehabilitation?

Maintenance -> maintain the quality of the infrastructure Rehabilitation -> the quality of the infrastructure is lacking, so you have to fix it in order to maintain adequacy

7. List and briefly discuss two major issues that have contributed to the current infrastructure crisis. Which do you think is most severe and why?

Mismanagement and lack of funds The most severe would have to be the lack of funds, because without, repairs, replacements, and maintenance of civil infrastructure is impossible.

24. When developing an infrastructure management system, project and network levels were discussed. How are these two levels different? Why are the 2 different levels needed?

Project level -> requires more detail, more about the people who are planning the project Network level -> requires less detail than the project level, large scale planning Need: Big picture planning is just as important as specific project planning within different parts of the larger, network level planning

17. Discuss the validity of the approach to fix the worst road pavement first.

Replacing the worst road pavement first is valid when funding for particular projects is low. It is a band aid fix. Fix it just enough to get by because that is all you have the money/resources for. This serves as a problem, too, because these short-term fixes can end up costing more in the long-term game.

22. Facility service life is an important concept. Define facility service life, list the factors that can affect facility service life, and explain how to measure it.

Service life is the period in years over which an infrastructure element provides adequate performance. Some factors that affect facility service life include: service and user perception, safety and sufficiency, physical condition, and structural integrity. Calculating the area under a survivor curve can provide a measure of the average service life.

26. The authors discussed models and model building. List and briefly discuss the steps involved in developing demand forecast models from historical data.

Step 1: Develop preliminary model based on historical data Step 2: Model verification using different data Step 3: Model calibration using data collected under different conditions

20. Define and briefly describe what is involved in strategic planning and tactical planning.

Strategic planning -> long term, involves higher up people in the field, more detailed Tactical planning -> technical planning and management, network planning needs

1. What is infrastructure? Give the dictionary definition and what it has come to mean in terms of the structure of our society.

The dictionary defines infrastructure as the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. Infrastructure has come to be understood as a platform for commerce and economic growth to aid in the smooth functioning of government and society as a whole.

3. Why did the industrial revolution change the level of need for infrastructure provision?

The industrial revolution caused an influx movement of people from the country to cities; therefore, infrastructure needed to improve. More energy, upgraded sanitation systems, better roadways and rail systems.

23. Why does the application of systems methodology offer significant promise in helping engineers/managers resolve the infrastructure crisis? Explain/discuss your reasoning.

The systems methodology requires engineers and managers to think of all aspects of the design of new infrastructure and the maintenance of that already existing. Evaluating every aspect of management/design will help prevent overlooks and aid in the creation of fiscally responsible designs which is extremely important in resolving the infrastructure crisis.

5. What are some of the main consequences of the large irrigation and water supply project in the western U.S. that were carried earlier in this century?

The water brought to these areas comes from somewhere else. Fixing a problem in the western U.S. created a problem a place there wasn't one before. This is even seen today with the California water "crisis."

13. Explain the goal of effective infrastructure management.

To maximize: •Economy in terms of both agency and user costs •Safety •Serviceability over the design period

21. Discuss the types of performance indicators that can be used to determine how well an infrastructure element is carrying out its function.

Triple point action, user perception, safety, condition, integrity

6. Discuss, with examples, how community values are reflected in infrastructure planning and design decisions.

When planning infrastructure, a community's values and needs are treated with great importance. A coastal community that wants to increase tourism, the community might secure more shorelines for recreational use. A place like downtown Mobile would want to increase the amount of storefronts as well as implement sidewalks to promote economic growth.

8. Give two of the examples cited of facility objectives (economic and/or social) that may be expected to be fulfilled by a facility.

•Aesthetically pleasing •Maximize safety

12. Give the 3 principal goals for graphical information systems.

•Avoid redundancy •Ability to share data •Consistency of data

11. What is the special feature of all Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

•Centrally stored •Available to all users •Centrally controlled

36. List two or more advantages of placing local gas , water, electric, and telephone utilities on each side of the street. Under what roadway and urban development conditions would your advantages be most important?

•Cheaper because of shorter pipe (less materials) •Avoids digging up roads and sidewalks This is especially important in high population areas with extensive urban development.

10. What is the difference between a constructability review and value engineering?

•Construction review -> feasibility study •Value engineering -> ratio of usefulness/cost

9. Give two of the examples cited for the objectives of the design process intended to accomplish the facility objectives in an optimal manner.

•Develop a design strategy of reasonable economy, safety, and serviceability •Recognize and incorporate the variability in the design factors

18. Define what a life cycle analysis is and indicate the types of factors that would be included in a life cycle cost analysis.

•Outline major costs during service life oNeed, planning, construction, start-up cost, maintenance cost, removal cost

34. Why are many new subdivisions moving to all utility services being underground?

•Protected from weather •More aesthetically pleasing •Safety

35. Under what urban and political conditions are common utility tunnels most likely to be used?

•When an urban development tends to have a high population growth •When underground transportation is needed