Abstract
Condition assessment (CA) is crucial for effective asset management of sanitary and storm sewers, enabling municipalities and utilities to prioritize repairs, reduce costly emergency fixes, and minimize environmental impacts. A key element is the systematic data collection on structural and operational defects. Multi-sensory inspection (MSI) platforms, typically using CCTV cameras, capture high-resolution images of sewer systems, with the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) commonly applied to analyze inspection data. However, relying solely on PACP Pipe Ratings can lead to inaccurate assessments and suboptimal investment decisions, especially when minor defects are widespread, skewing the overall condition score.
To address this foregoing issue, improvements to PACP based on sound engineering principles are necessary. This paper focuses on enhancement concepts such as the Potential Contributor of Failure (PCOF) Score, Structural Severity Rating (SSR), and Unit Length per Critical Defect (ULCD). The PCOF and SSR provide a more accurate reflection of a pipe’s structural integrity, while ULCD classifies defects by concentration along the sewer segment. A case study is presented to demonstrate how these improvements enhance criticality assessment and renewal decision-making. Additionally, the paper highlights how pipe physical material testing can complement visual inspections for more accurate evaluations of the structural integrity of the pipelines.
