Methodology Maps for Model-Based Sensor-Data Interpretation to Support Civil-Infrastructure Management

With increasing urbanization and depleting reserves of raw materials for construction, sustainable management of existing infrastructure will be an important challenge in this century. Structural sensing has the potential to increase knowledge of infrastructure behavior and improve engineering decision making for asset management. Model-based methodologies such as residual minimization (RM), Bayesian model updating (BMU) and error-domain model falsification (EDMF) have been proposed to interpret monitoring data and support asset management. Application of these methodologies requires approximations and assumptions related to model class, model complexity and uncertainty estimations, which ultimately affect the accuracy of data interpretation and subsequent decision making. This paper introduces methodology maps in order to provide guidance for appropriate use of these methodologies. The development of these maps is supported by in-house evaluations of nineteen full-scale cases since 2016 and a two-decade assessment of applications of model-based methodologies. Nineteen full-scale studies include structural identification, fatigue-life assessment, post-seismic risk assessment and geotechnical-excavation risk quantification. In some cases, much, previously unknown, reserve capacity has been quantified. RM and BMU may be useful for model-based data interpretation when uncertainty assumptions and computational constraints are satisfied. EDMF is a special implementation of BMU. It is more compatible with usual uncertainty characteristics, the nature of typically available engineering knowledge and infrastructure evaluation concepts than other methodologies. EDMF is most applicable to contexts of high magnitudes of uncertainties, including significant levels of model bias and other sources of systematic uncertainty. EDMF also provides additional practical advantages due to its ease of use and flexibility when information changes. In this paper, such observations have been leveraged to develop methodology maps. These maps guide users when selecting appropriate methodologies to interpret monitoring information through reference to uncertainty conditions and computational constraints. This improves asset-management decision making. These maps are thus expected to lead to lower maintenance costs and more sustainable infrastructure compared with current practice.

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