OPERATIONAL METHODS FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF AGING INFRASTRUCTURE

The aims and scope of the Handbook is to provide designers with a general methodology for the assessment of existing structures, which is illustrated step by step, referring to the selected case studies. The case studies have been chosen not only in order to cover as much as possible the actual variety of infrastructures and materials, but also different building periods, from the sixteenth century to the most recent past. In this way, it is possible to consider structures designed according to different approaches; in fact, while recent structures have been designed according to Codes, Standards, Guidelines or theoretical models, the most ancient ones have been designed according to empirical rules or architectural canons, therefore the understanding of original design ideas often requires that survey and in-situ measurements and investigations are supplement with historical studies. In the presentation of case studies, beside the reference to the general procedures provided by modern Codes and ISO 13822 in particular, the above mentioned necessity of understanding original design ideas and the significance of the engineering judgement in the diagnosis of the structural decays are emphasized, aiming to communicate to the reader a correct way to approach existing structures. The references mentioned in each chapter provide additional background materials, further guidance and information, allowing to widen the significance and the field of application of the assessment methods illustrated for each case study.