Framework of Life-Cycle Management

A concrete structure passes through different stages during its life:from the planning,design,execution,use,and to the end-of-life stages.Due to its long life,it involves dif ferent parties at each stage.This implies that it is essential to coordinate all the stages with transferring important information from one stage to another in an appropriate form.LCM is systematic and coordinated activity and practice through which a structure is appropriately managed over its life cycle.

The overall framework of the LCM is summarized in Figure 1.LCM is implemented according to the LCM scenario in which balance of several sustainability indicators should be considered with ensuring performance requirements.The sustainability indicators will be determined from the social,environmental and economic points of view.The scenario should be regularly reviewed and evaluated based on the PDCA cycle[3]and be updated if necessary.As shown in the Figure 1,the LCM is an integrated concept to assist in activities managing the total life-cycle of structure based on managements of each stage to ensure structural functions and performance and to achieve sustainability.As a platform to share the information,BIM has a big potential for use[4].

Figure 1　Framework of the life-cycle management