Existing Structures

Objectives
C5 is dedicated to enhance existing methods and develop new tools for an economically efficient, environment-friendly, and socially reconcilable decision-making process on existing bridges and other structures. To this end the insights gained from both pre- and post mortem investigation of structures will be used, effectively combining forensics with diagnostics.

The commission strives to establish performance goals that are in compliance with the societal values that can be compared to measurable key performance indicators. By considering the long-term aspects, C5 seeks to enhance methods that allow definition of intervention strategies for different types of structures. These methods need to be tailored for different levels of data availability as these can vary from simple inventory lists to comprehensive information models (BIM).

The commission will not just deal with structural engineers, but will work to involve more people representing different stakeholders from around the globe, such as owners and operators.

Field of Activity
In the short-term period, C5 will focus on the following activities, which will be facilitated via Task Group deployments:

I) Organizing pre-conference courses/sessions dedicated to forensic engineering knowledge, methodology and techniques. Other relevant topics such as ethical or legal issues may also be explored.

b) Definition of key performance indicators.

c) Organization and data requirements related to diagnostics (Assessment, Examination & Inspections).

d) Survey of existing structure management systems with focus on implemented decision-making models.

e) Seismic retrofitting of cultural heritage structures, including seismic assessment of existing building and related decision making.

In achieving its goals, C5 also plans to establish liaison with other organizations such as IABMAS, TRB (in particular, Bridge Management Committee), buildingSMART, EuroStruct (European Association on Quality Control of Bridges and Structures), COST 1406 and FIB.

Current Task Groups under Commission 5

TG5.1 Forensic Structural Engineering
Chair: Karel Terwel, the Netherlands

TG5.2 Key Performance Indicators: Definition
Chair: Jose Matos, Portugal

TG5.3 Gerontology of Bridge Structures
Chair: Jan Bien, Poland

TG5.4 Structure Management Systems (SMS): Survey on Implemented Decision-making Models
Chair: Poul Linneberg, Denmark

TG5.5 Conservation and Seismic Strengthening / Retrofitting of Existing Unreinforced Masonry Structures
Chair: Andreas Lampropoulos, UK

TG5.6 BIM in Structure Management
Chair: Vanja Samec, Austria

TG5.8 Resilience of existing structures
Chair: Hélder S. Sousa, Portugal

TG5.9 Remote Inspection of Bridges
Chair: Diogo Ribeiro, Portugal

TG5.10:  Earthquake Emergency Response Team (EERT)
Chair: Andreas Lampropoulos, United Kingdom

Interview with C5 Chair

Chair
Rade Hajdin, Switzerland

Vice Chair
Jose Campos e Matos, Portugal

Core Members
Airong Chen, China
Milos Drdacky, Czech Republic
Fabrizio Palmisano, Italy
Bruno Godart, France
Thomas Moser, Austria
Kristian Schellenberg, Switzerland
Andreas Lampropoulos, UK

Ex-officio
Karel Terwel, the Netherlands

Jose Matos, Portugal

Jan Bien, Poland

Poul Linneberg, Denmark

Andreas Lampropoulos, United Kingdom

Vanja Samec, Austria
Helder Sousa, Portugal

Diogo Ribeiro, Portugal