Announced 7 days prior to defense due to holiday break and scheduling issues, with approval by Associate Chair of Graduate Programs and Office of Graduate Education.

School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Ph.D. Thesis Defense Announcement

Towards the Implementation of a Geotechnical Asset Management Program in Georgia

By Jose Torres Gonzalez

Advisor:

Dr. Jorge Macedo (CEE)

Committee Members:  Dr. Susan E. Burns (CEE), Dr. Baabak Ashuri (CEE), Dr. Gervais W. Tabopda (CP),
Dr. Pablo Quinde (Univ. of Azuay)

Date and Time:  Monday, December 4th, 2023, 3:45 PM - 5:45 PM EST

Location: Mason 2119

Over the past decade, federal mandates (MAP-21, 2012; FAST, 2015) have emphasized the importance of managing transportation corridor assets from risk and performance perspectives. Despite these mandates, geotechnical assets in Georgia, which are crucial for reliable transportation networks, have been inadequately managed. This research evaluates Georgia's current practices in managing geotechnical assets, such as retaining walls, slopes, embankments, and bridge foundations, and develops a comprehensive Geotechnical Asset Management (GAM) framework and a modern GIS-based computational system (G-GAMS) to facilitate risk-based management and improve the state's efforts to comply with federal and state performance objectives.
 
Inspired by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP-903) and successful practices from other U.S. states, the proposed GAM framework follows a six-step sequence, including definition, inventory, inspection, risk analysis, communication of results, and the refinement process, with an emphasis on using innovative technologies like image-based systems and machine learning to improve data collection and asset inspection processes in future endeavors. The novel computational system developed supports the GAM framework for Georgia. This scalable system enables the progressive evolution of GAM maturity, incorporating elements like 10-year deterioration scenarios, geotechnical databases enriched with key features, and metrics to monitor the condition state of geotechnical assets and the progress of the statewide GAM implementation. Furthermore, the computational system incorporates redesigned components of the GAM Planner (NCHRP-903), transitioning from a stationary Excel-based tool to a dynamic, data-driven geospatial tool. Field trials validate the GAM framework and G-GAMS system, demonstrating their practicality and potential for significant financial and operational benefits. The findings stress the importance of proactive, risk-based management strategies for reducing costs, enhancing operational efficiency, and meeting federal compliance standards.
 
In conclusion, the dissertation presents a roadmap  for the successful implementation of a GAM program at an initial maturity level in Georgia, relying on improved geotechnical risk-driven strategies and the efficient allocation of resources based on GAM metrics, thereby improving the management and stewardship of the state's transportation infrastructure.