Object-oriented framework for durability assessment and life cycle costing of highway bridges

Design professionals are increasingly faced with challenges to produce innovative designs that are durable and give good value for money to clients. However, durability is impinged upon by the interaction of different factors such as construction materials, construction method, quality systems in use at the construction stages, environmental exposure of the structural elements and their functions, ease of access for inspection and maintenance. It is therefore necessary to investigate frameworks that address the above outlined factors, for use by construction professionals. The framework should integrate the outlined durability factors and facilitate achieving the objectives of durability design that account for life cycle costs and sustainability of design options, rather than just focusing on the initial design and construction cost. This paper highlights the application of an object-oriented (OO) framework to decision-making in designing for durability in the bridge domain, and a prototype implementation of this framework. It discusses how an object-based solution could contribute towards achieving the objectives of durability and minimum maintenance costs at project level. The paper also gives recommendations for further work.