Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers establishes the Repair, Evaluation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation (REMR) program to focus more attention on deterioration rates of civil works structures. An Iowa State University (ISU) research team implements this program and develops maintenance techniques for miter lock gates. This work is similar to a previous REMR project for steel sheet pile structures done by ISU. The maintenance management system for miter lock gates addresses both condition rating and repair guidelines. This paper describes the condition‐rating aspect by developing inspection and rating techniques that uniformly and consistently describe the current condition of miter lock gates. The research effort involves site visits, field investigations, and interviews with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel to quantify and incorporate expert opinions into a preliminary rating scheme. Modifications are continuously made as the system evolves around the experts' advice.

The sudden, unexpected release of water from hydropower generation presents a hazard to fishermen below the dam. Using research involving the effect of wind speed on human performance, the hazard is identified as the rapid rise in turbulent waters whose exponential increase in impact force quickly restricts the ability to move to the shore. Cases involving the drowning of fishermen at two hydropower facilities in the Southeast are analyzed according to the principles of safety engineering. The analysis reveals that the most effective protection to the fisherman is an active warning system. Such a system would provide people at risk with timely visual and audio information concerning the immediacy of the hazard. This is most reliably accomplished with a computerized verbal‐command warning of the need to leave the area due to the intended release of water through the turbines.

Metal building systems are a common method of providing covered, enclosed space quickly at a competitive cost. Because of the system design approach, all components of the structure interact with each other to provide the required level of structural safety. Metal building systems are most vulnerable to collapse during erection, when all components are not yet installed. It is most important at this time to ensure that all bracing called for by the building manufacturer is properly installed. This paper reports on the collapse of a metal building system consisting of a 206 ft (62.8 m) span rigid frame during erection due to inadequately installed bracing, and explains proper erection procedure with regard to lateral bracing of the rigid frames. The circumstances of the collapse are discussed and recommendations are provided.

Failures due to expansive soils tie with hurricanes for second place among America's most destructive hazards in terms of economic loss to buildings. This paper discusses the limitations of conventional design, construction, and repair of residential structures. Two specific case studies are presented. The first addresses excessive movement and damage at several posttensioned slab‐on‐ground condominium buildings. The second discusses severe vertical and horizontal deformation of a tract home supported by a drilled pier foundation system. Remedial recommendations for each case study are discussed along with lessons learned from each. Damages and movement that initially indicate upward movement may actually be caused by settlement even in an area of extremely expansive soils. The unique situation of each type of residence often requires the decision of which path to take during repair; that is, one of providing additional flexibility or rigidity. This type of decision‐making process should also be considered during the initial design/construction phase.

Pavement failure is a common and recurring problem. The results of such failures are not catastrophic like the collapse of a building or a failure of a dam, but they represent a serious financial loss and are a nuisance to the public. Despite a long history of road and pavement construction, engineers continue to design and build pavements that fail. This paper uses specific examples to illustrate common design and construction problems. Examples of design errors illustrate problems of not recognizing both critical assumptions used in a “standard” design curve and natural conditions that affect design. Materials are critical to proper performance, and examples of improper material selection or specification use are presented. No pavement design is any better than its construction or maintenance, so examples of typical construction problems and maintenance failures are also included. The 12 examples covered in this paper illustrate that these failures are more likely due to our failure to practice engineering properly rather than to inadequate technical knowledge or development. Professional performance by engineers remains the best way to avoid such failures.