Reclamation Infrastructure Sustainability Research Roadmapping

Project ID: 151
Principal Investigator: Bobbi Jo Merten
Research Topic: Improving Geotechnical Infrastructure Reliability
Funded Fiscal Years: 2014 and 2015
Keywords: infrastructure sustainability, research roadmapping, maintenance planning, cost-effective research

Research Question

The project will provide insight to three key questions:

1) What are the common reasons for failure, reduced service life, or replacement for Reclamation's infrastructure components?

2) What mitigation practices are currently used by Reclamation to address these failures or extend the working life of the infrastructure components?

3) What additional tools, measures, and technology, or improvements in existing technology might allow us to extend the service life for these infrastructure components?

The research will evaluate responses to these questions in order to identify and prioritize present gaps in Reclamation sustainability.

Need and Benefit

This research roadmapping project is a tremendous cost-saving effort to revolutionize the way in which Reclamation approaches future research needs for its infrastructure. The benefit is a thorough, calculated approach to infrastructure sustainability. The final products are expected to maintain their validity for at least 5-10 years of maintenance and research planning.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Research Priorities to Enhance Dam Infrastructure Sustainability (interim, PDF, 770KB)
By Dr. Bobbi Jo Merten and Mr. Kurt F Von Fay
Report completed on September 29, 2014

This report presents a research roadmap for dams infrastructure. A steering committee of Reclamation subject matter experts were included in its development. The roadmap identifies key research needs along with a comprehensive description of each, including the adverse outcome, currently used mitigation practices, and the outstanding needs for tools, technology, etc. The intent of this information is to provide a thorough explanation of the research need to potential researchers in this area.

Research Priorities to Enhance Canals Infrastructure Sustainability (interim, PDF, 677KB)
By Dr. Bobbi Jo Merten and Mr. Jay Swihart
Report completed on September 29, 2014

This report presents a research roadmap for canals infrastructure. A steering committee of Reclamation subject matter experts were included in its development. The roadmap identifies key research needs along with a comprehensive description of each, including the adverse outcome, currently used mitigation practices, and the outstanding needs for tools, technology, etc. The intent of this information is to provide a thorough explanation of the research need to potential researchers in this area.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20