17.+Condition+Assessment+and+Asset+Management

Chapter 17 Condition Assessment and Asset Management Dustin Pennington, Dan Stout, Jordan Pugmire, Steven Arhart

Discuss how condition assessments and asset managements are important to maintaining a sustainable infrastructure. For this chapter we will be discussing mainly roads, hydro, and wind power plants.
 * 17.1 Chapter Goal**

Assets deteriorate over time through corrosion, weakening of materials, natural disaster damage, etc. A way of managing and inspecting the quality and quantity of deterioration is called a condition assessment. There are many definitions for a condition assessment depending on the structure or asset that is being analyzed. For this chapter and textbook, the author is combining ideas and principles from multiple sources to create a common definition. Condition assessment is the continuous or periodic inspection, assessment, measurement and interpretation of the resultant data, to meet maintenance needs, improve current conditions, and plan for future operational requirements. This definition is used because it incorporates every type of structure or asset whether it’s a dam, pipeline, power plant, building, road, etc. Each of these assets will be analyzed and graded differently depending on the organization, country, and context. A crack in a concrete dam is different than a crack in a concrete floor or wall of a power plant or other structure. From condition assessments an asset management plan is created. Although a condition assessment is used for many different structures or assets, this chapter is going to focus on condition assessments for roads and power plants (hydro, geothermal, wind) [1].
 * 17.2 Introduction **

From condition assessments, an asset management or plan of action is created to manage the maintenance of the asset. The combined goal is to minimize maintenance costs by running maintenance right before catastrophic failure. To achieve such a precise plan, consistent and accurate condition assessments need to be completed. With this goal in mind, a generalized definition for asset management is given as: a systematic and coordinated activity or practice through which an organization optimally manages its assets; Including monitoring associated performance, risks and expenditures over their lifecycle for the purpose of achieving its organizational strategic plan [2]. This definition more clearly stated as: organization and prioritization of maintenance in order to optimally manage an asset. Structure of a condition assessment may vary, the same variance occurs with an asset management. Certain assets, organizations, or countries will have stricter and more consistent condition assessments and asset management plans in place.

** 17.3 The need for Condition Assessments and Asset Management Plans **

Condition assessments evaluate the structural integrity, performance, efficiency, sustainability, etc. of a structure. This is used as a guide to organize the maintenance or improvements required for the structure. Depending on the structure being analyzed the requirements, template, or outline of the condition assessment report may vary. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has created a template or a standard guide for condition assessments, ASTM E2018. Within this guide the scope and purpose of a condition assessment is to observe the physical deficiencies of the structure and to do a walk-through observing the operations and routine maintenance that occurs. Physical deficiencies are classified as defects that are caused by natural events and are uncontrollable. This includes corrosion and material weakening. Deficiencies from operating maintenance, normal maintenance, and other minor repairs are noted but have minor importance in the final condition of an asset in a condition assessment report [3].

Other reasons for a condition assessment are to evaluate and collect data for the following categories: cost effectiveness, durability, waste minimization, C02 reduction, water quality impact, environmental impact, structure strength, efficiency, and possible future needs or changes. As mentioned before, condition assessments are different depending on the asset, organization, and country that are in charge. Each of these categories has a certain amount of importance, which varies from asset to asset.

The following quote demonstrates a connection between wind power condition assessments and the elements analyzed above: "An analysis should be made to determine whether wind speed is accelerated by certain onsite topographical forms and whether any buit form would augment or deter the velocity of the wind. A detailed site model could be buit and analyzed with the help of a wind tunnel." As mentioned in the quote, analysis pre and post construction must be done to evaluate the wind speed. From a simple evaluation of the potential wind speed, the following factors may be determined: cost effectiveness, power output, efficiency, structural strength at high wind velocities [4].



A simplified condition assessment report is used by FEMA when analyzing structures after natural disasters or when time is limited. This report is structured to analyze different physical properties that affect the overall safety of a structure. Example categories of analysis include: collapse or off foundation, leaning other structural damage, damage to windows or doors, chimney, parapet or other falling hazards, roof damage, foundation damage, siding damage, damage to electrical, mechanical, AC systems, and landscape damage. The following link shows an example form for a rapid building and site condition assessment ( http://ncptt.nps.gov/pdf/Rapid_Building_Site_Assessment.pdf) [5].


 * 17.4 Condition Assessments and Asset Managements for Sustainable Infrastructure of Costa Rica **

With Costa Rica moving to be carbon neutral by 2021 renewable energy is very important to the country. In order to achieve this plan, hydro, wind, and geothermal power plants have to be well maintained, efficient, and designed for future power needs. Routine condition assessments and asset management plans are ways of maintaining and increasing the amount of power output from these renewable resources. The Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) performs condition assessments to analyze the current states and maintenance needs of the power plants. These power plants and ICE are going to be discussed further more in the chapter. The other important sustainable infrastructure of Cost Rica is the national road network, which is monitored by LANAMME-UCR (described under section 17.4.1 Roads).

Costa Rica has an interesting mix of paved, dirt, and gravel roads. In a country that receives on average 200 inches of rain a year, road maintenance and upkeep is a tough problem to keep up with. LANAMME-UCR is an important organization with goals of maintaining and improving the national road network of Costa Rica. The National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models of the University of Costa Rica (LANAMME) is funded by the government in order to conduct research, experiments, and evaluate the national roads. LANAMME conducts condition assessments on the national roads in order to meet maintenance needs, improve current conditions, and plan for future operational requirements.
 * 17.4.1 Roads**

The following quote is from the UDOT Asset Management Primer:

"Asset management is a systematic process of maintaining, upgrading, and operating physical assets cost-effectively. It combines engineering principles with sound business practices and economic theory, and it provides tools to facilitate a more organized, logical approach to decision-making. Thus, asset management provides a framework for handling both short- and long-range planning" [6].

This quote directly relates to LANAMME and the national road network of Costa Rica. Before an asset management plan is created, sufficient data by means of condition assessments must be completed. This data collection began in 2004 by LANAMME. Before that, there was very little done in terms of data collection and pavement research [7]. Now that there is a reasonable amount of data, an organized and sound systematic process of maintaining, upgrading, and operating physical assets cost-effectively may occur. The pictures below show vehicles and images used for condition assessments. The orange vehicle is called an Automatic Road Analyzer (ARAN) and is used by Maine DOT. In comparison, the van labeled UCR is a road analyzer vehicle used by LANAMME-UCR.

Lanamme- UCR Pavements Lab
 * 17.4.2 Hydro Power**

With Costa Rica receiving more than 200 inches of rain a year, hydro Power is cheap, easy, and abundant. Maintenance of these hydro power plants at a costly price, timely manner, and just before catastrophic failure is important. Running routine condition assessments and having asset management plans are crucial for good maintenance plans. When doing maintenance and repairs, a turbine or generator may be shut down for a period of time. Prior planning through condition assessments and asset management plans must be done in order to meet power needs when a power plant is off the grid. As seen in the image below, large valves can turn off the flow to the generator for maintenance.

During a tour of the Arenal Hydro Power Plant, it was noted that the intake valves can be closed using the large piston in the image to the right. The piston closes a valve in the pipe to control the flow rate. Controlling the flow rate is important when controlling the amount of water and speed in which it hits the turbine. The valve can also close the pipe completely for maintenance on the turbine or other parts within the system.

Other examples of condition assessments and asset management plans related to the Arenal Hydro Power Plant include the intake pipe at Arenal Lake. The image to the left is a model of the intake valve and the structure that was made for sedimentation control. Sedimentation is a major problem for the intake pipes of the hydro power plant. As seen in the bottom left corner of the image, a screen blocks debris and sediment from entering the intake pipes. In order to clear this debris and sediment, a large bucket is lowered down the ramp to scoop up the anything blocking the screen and the intake pipes. Condition assessments are done to determine when debris build up has exceeded amounts specified and needs to be cleared. Using the condition assessments, ICE can better plan for these routine cleanings. This asset management plant will better help the power plant run at full capacity or the needed efficiency.


 * 17.4.3 Wind Power**

Wind power is one of the least contributing renewable energy sources in Costa Rica. As of November 2011, Costa Rica had 278 wind turbines with a production capacity of 140 MW [8]. Although, wind energy plays a minor role in the sustainable infrastructure, condition assessments of wind turbines are mandatory in optimally managing the asset. With so many moving parts, routine condition assessments and possible maintenance is crucial. Maintenance of the wind turbines is a daunting task, but can be well planned with reliable condition assessments. Determining when to replace mechanical parts and run maintenance needs to occur just before catastrophic failure in order to maximize operations and reduce maintenance costs. In other words, if a ICE were to replace parts inside the gondola of a wind turbine well before they needed replacement, there economic value of the wind turbine would cost a lot more. From the data collected an asset management plan can be organized in order to be ready for the necessary maintenance. In order for a a wind turbine to be as sustainable as possible, consistent and reliable condition assessments have to be done; and this assessment then has to be well analyzed to make an accurate asset management plan. As previously mentioned, scheduled maintenance according to the asset management plan has to be done at times just before catastrophic failure.

In the United States, the size of wind turbines is increasing. In 2000, wind turbines had an average diameter of 216 feet and in 2007 they increased to a diameter of 394 feet. This is much larger than a wing span of a Boeing-747. With an increase in size, maintenance and breakdowns has risen. "Acquiring an early indication of structural or mechanical problems allows operators to better plan for maintenance, possibly operate the machine in a de-rated condition rather than taking the unit off-line, or in the case of an emergency, shut the machine down to avoid further damage," according to Rumsey and Paquette of the Sandia National Laboratories [9]. This quote reinforces the goal of condition assessments and asset managements in order to optimally manage an asset. A section of the quote says...allows operators to better plan for maintenance..., this reinforces the idea of condition assessments as a guide for asset management plans and necessary maintenance just before catastrophic failure.


 * 17.5 Example Condition Assessment**

An example of a condition assessment that the author witnessed occurred on the bridge on the right side of the picture. Although this chapter isn't specifically talking about condition assessment of structural designs such as the bridge, the purpose of the condition assessment was for the hyrdo power plant adjacent to the bridge on the left side of the picture. The reason for this was that a 2,000 ton generator was going to pass over the bridge in a month and the bridge needs to be structurally sound. Cachi hydro power plant was installed in 1970 with two large pipes to carry water to generators. One pipe has never been used but was designed for future power needs. According to the data collected by condition assessments, Lake Cachi dam is approaching a need for the second generator that is almost ready to put on the grid. If the bridge was not structurally sound, an asset management plan would be created to organize the repair of the bridge and transportation of the generator.
 * [[image:Cachi_Dam.jpg]] ||
 * Lake Cachi Dam ||


 * 17.6 Conclusion**

Condition assessments and asset management plans are important in allowing assets to function at designed capacity and be structurally sound. Transportation networks need condition assessments to plan for maintenance and repairs; hydro power plants rely on condition assessments to run efficiently and make sure their design life span is met; wind turbines use condition assessments to plan maintenance just before catastrophic failure, maximizing economic value and power output. These examples demonstrate the relationship between condition assessment and asset management plans to optimally manage an asset to the best of its purpose.


 * 17.7 Bibliography **

[1] NZWETA. (n.d.). //Condition Assessment-Frequently Asked Question// [Online]. Available: http://www.nzweta.org.nz/page101746.html (Accessed May 28, 2012)

[2] M.R. Hodkiewicz and R. Pascual. (2006). //Education in Engineering Asset Management- current trends and challenges// [Online]. Available: http://www.plant-maintenance.com/articles/EAM_education.pdf (Accessed May 25, 2012)

[3] ASTM. (n.d.). //ASTM E2018-08 Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments// [Online]. Available: http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2018.htm (Accessed May 29, 2012)

[4] A. Davis and R. Schubert. "Wind Power," in //Alternative Natural Energy Sources in building design.// New York City, USA. VNR Company, 1976, pp 104.

[5] NCPTT. (2005, September). //Rapid Building and Site Condition Assessment// [Online]. Available: http://ncptt.nps.gov/pdf/Rapid_Building_Site_Assessment.pdf (Accessed May 29, 2012)

[6] US Department of Transportation. (1999, December) //Asset Management Primer// [Online]. Available: http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/uconowner.gf?n=200407131043111 (Accessed June 15, 2012)

[7] R. B. Jiménez. (2010). //Evaluation of the National Road Newtork of Costa Rica// [Online]. Available: http://www.cpe.vt.edu/pavementevaluation/presentations/Barrantes.pdf (Accessed June 5, 2012)

[8] The Wind Power. (2011, November). //Costa Rica// [Online]. Available: http://www.thewindpower.net/country_windfarms_en_29_costa-rica.php (Accessed June 15, 2012)

[9] M. A. Rumsey and J. A. Paquette. (2008). //Structural Health Monitoring of Wind Turbine Blades// [Online]. Available: http://144.206.159.178/ft/CONF/16413888/16413899.pdf (Accessed June 15, 2012)