8.Research on Infrastructure Integration

Background and Objectives

Ports and airports function as freight transport complexes and recovery hubs for disasters, so efficient maintenance and improvement are required for port and airport facilities. However, recent circumstances due to the economic downturn and aging society have resulted in significant financial constraints. To properly maintain and develop social capital efficiently and effectively, we strongly need to apply a new design and building method for longer-life facilities through appropriate maintenance and management, as well as reduced life cycle costs for structures. Design methods of numerous structures have recently shifted to performancebased designs; developing and improving evaluation methods for structure performance is urgently needed.

Research topics

The following four topics were focused in this research theme.

1. Developments and improvements of performance verification technologies in port facilities
   Effects on structures from long-period ocean waves; material characteristics such as soil, steel, and concrete; mechanism of deformability and failure behavior of structures and soil; interactions of waves and structures; and developments and improvements of performance-based design methods.
2. Technology development of functional improvement of port facilities
   Long-term durability of soil and structures; and decisionmaking for cargo handling availability at offshore ports.
3. Technology development of functional improvement of airport pavement
   Deformation prediction for airport pavement; improved method for de-bonding detection of asphalt concrete pavement; and upgraded design and quality control of overlay pavement.
4. Computer program development applicable to practical design

Activities in FY 2010

To maintain port and airport facilities efficiently and effectively, we mainly focused on research contributing to improving the performance-based design methods that have been introduced in ‘Technical Standards and Commentaries for Port and Harbour Facilities In Japan’. Also the development of new buildings and installation methods for port and airport facilities was implemented.
Regarding performance verification technology in port facilities, we implemented research on accidental wave loads by long-period swells, long-term durability of concrete and steel, and examinations of performance verification methods of reinforced concrete by impact load. We also conducted studies on prediction methods of differential settlement and on the stability of group column type improved ground using solidified geomaterial.
In terms of technology development of functional improvement of port facilities, we launched research to evaluate high-standard container terminals and develop methods for deepening the water off quays, which mainly handle bulk cargos. We also conducted studies regarding rationalizing the anti-corrosion design of steel structures used at ports and harbors.
In relation to technology development of functional improvement of airport pavement, we studied the development of high durability asphalt concrete materials and technology for shortening the period of pavement overlaying.