Modeling the structural deterioration of urban drainage pipes: the state-of-the-art in statistical methods

Wastewater and stormwater collection and conveyance systems are undergoing aging and deterioration, leaving cities vulnerable to their ill-effects, e.g. collapse and flooding. To avoid such problems, utilities began implementing some sort of urban drainage infrastructure asset management systems. One of the key components of these systems is the ability to predict the infrastructure's future performance. This paper discusses the different statistical models used in predicting the structural deterioration of urban drainage pipes. The concepts behind the models, along with their data requirements and applications in infrastructure asset management, are presented. Finally, a discussion is also made on the issues and challenges related to the developments of these models.