Deterioration modelling of civil engineering infrastructure assets

Deterioration modelling is an analytical technique that involves the creation and use of a mathematical or rules-based model that seeks to describe or simulate the process of deterioration and/or its outcomes. It provides a systematic means of predicting the future, improving asset knowledge in support of the wider process of effective asset management. This publication provides an overview of the purposes of deterioration modelling and some background information on what is involved, and it should be useful to provide non-specialist readers with an introduction to the subject. It presents the perspectives of the UK and Ireland highway and railway asset-owning community on their current practices, needs and future intentions with respect to the evaluation and prediction of asset condition and performance. Information and knowledge sourced beyond highways and railways sectors have been included in support of the notion that deterioration modelling of civil engineering infrastructure assets will have an integral role to play in future asset management practices.