CIVE 527

INFRASTRUCTURE;
RENOVATION AND
PRESERVATION
TUTORIAL: ASSIGNMENT 1

CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Condition Assessment: An examination of a
structure for the purpose of identifying and
defining areas of distress
But how exactly do we go about doing
this?!

THE BASICS

For More Details, Consult Condition Assessment

module of CIVE 527 course notes

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT &

EVALUATION
Before you can make informed decisions, you require
CONTEXT
Need as much history as you can get your hands on!
Review of previous documents/literature available

History of intervention/maintenance
Design plans
Drawings
Design criteria,
Soil Investigations
as-built drawing

PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
OWNERSHIP
Ownership of infrastructure depends on how exactly it is
used and who is using it (Jurisdiction)
FEDERAL: Socit Les Ponts Jacques Cartier et
Champlain Inc.
PROVINCIAL

Ministre des Transports du Qubec National Highways

(Primary)

Regional Highways: (Secondary)

MUNICIPAL
Divided between the 19 boroughs and the municipal
council

ARTERIES: City of Montreal

Local Roads: Borough

INVENTORY

Majority of Infrastructure built in the 60s and 70s

40+ years of potential deterioration across almost 30,000 km

of roadworks

CITY OF MONTREAL in particular responsible for:

27 bridges*
41 footbridges
21 noise barrier walls
14 tunnels (vehicles and pedestrian)
213 retaining walls*
15 snow deposits
22 other types of structures (stairs, culverts, etc)
*LIST OF ONGOING WORK FOUND AT*
http://carte.quebec511.gouv.qc.ca/en/Default.aspx?idreg=6

Distribution of deterioration ratings for the

City of Montreals transportation
Infrastructure, 2014.

INSPECTION REPORTS
City of Montreal uses qualitative criteria to determine
severity of rating
Structural and non-structural components evaluated
based on visible signs of deterioration
Total deterioration rating is summed up over all
observed issues and a single score is given to the
infrastructure
This score is used to compare and prioritise intervention
& monitoring across entire inventory

GLOBAL CRITERIA USED

Deterioration
Rating

0 to 8

8 to 25

25 to 40

40 to 80

80 +

State

General Characteristics

Good

Materials: None of the elements show important signs

of deterioration
Structural behaviour: The majority of elements are
functional

Deteriorated

Materials: A small number of elements show signs of

deterioration
Structural behaviour: A small number of elements are
partially functional

Mediocre

Materials: Elements show signs of deterioration

Structural behaviour: Some of the structural elements
are partially functional

Deficient

Materials: A few of the elements are deficient

Structural behaviour: A few of the structural elements
are non-functional

Critical

Materials: Many of the elements are deficient

Structural behaviour: A few of the structural elements
are non-functional (short term intervention if necessary,
complete or partial closing)

INSPECTION REPORT
DETAILS
All infrastructure is composed of a combination of
different elements, both structural and non-structural
Priorities- Which elements are the worst? Scale of 1 to 6
Damage rating (E)
A: Isolated Damage (One or two spots)
B: Repetitive Damage (In several places)
C: Generalized
Material Rating (M)
Behavioral Defects (C)

1- Not performing as designed

6- Perfect functioning

VISUAL INSPECTION
Most important part of preliminary assessment
Structural Modification
o Previous Repair work visible?
Material Deterioration
Structural Member degradation
Missing cover, braces missing, etc

Foundation or settlement problems

Cracking Staining, Crumbling

Missing Members?
Obvious Damage
TAKE PICTURES!!!

ASSIGNMENT 1 RUBRIC
1. Description of building /2
2. Description of loading and performance
criteria considered /2
3. Description of preliminary evaluation process /2
4. Discussion of preliminary findings /2
5. Recommendations concerning the need for
particular actions /2

DESCRIPTION OF
BUILDING
Who owns it?
How is it used/what function does it serve
Where is it located?
Whose jurisdiction does it fall under (Federal, provincial,
municipal, borough?)
What is the building composed of?
Identify ALL major & minor structural components

MAJOR- Beams, slabs, columns, retaining walls,

foundations,
Parapets, sidewalks, drainage systems

Identify materials used in construction

DESCRIPTION OF
PERFORMANCE AND LOADING
CRITERIA

How is this structure used (High priority or low priority)

Heavy Trucks
Weight Restrictions?
Pedestrian use?
Lane restrictions?
Thoroughfare vs lightly used structure
What kinds of conditions is the structure exposed to?

Near industrial output (acid rains?)

Car exhaust (CO2)?
De-Icing salts (Chlorides)
Extreme water runoff (Erosion/ Freeze Thaw)?
Vandalism/Accidents? (Structural Defects)
Fires?

DESCRIPTION OF
PRELIMINARY
EVALUATION PROCESS
What steps did your group take while carrying out
the preliminary evaluation process?
Prior records consulted?
Site inspection?
Other investigation means?

DISCUSSION OF
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
What are your first impressions of the structure in question?
General condition assessment?
Any particular elements or components that stand out?
Concerning or laudable observations?

ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE DATE

October 8th @ 6 PM
Submission via MyCourses
1 Submission per group
Word Count < 400 (10-15 PowerPoint Slides)

PDF or PPT file