Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Corrugated Metal Pipe Used for Culverts, Storm Sewers, and Other Buried Conduits

A930: Standard Practice for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Corrugated Metal Pipe Used for Culverts, Storm Sewers, and Other Buried Conduits

When evaluating infrastructure projects involving corrugated metal pipe (CMP) for culverts, storm sewers, and other buried conduits, understanding the long-term economic implications is paramount. ASTM A930 provides engineers and project managers with an essential framework for conducting a comprehensive life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis, ensuring that decisions are based not just on initial expenditures but on the total cost of ownership over the project's lifespan. This industry-leading standard empowers professionals to make informed choices that optimize public and private investments in critical drainage infrastructure.

What is A930?

ASTM A930, "Standard Practice for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis of Corrugated Metal Pipe Used for Culverts, Storm Sewers, and Other Buried Conduits," established by ASTM International, offers a standardized methodology for evaluating the economic viability of different CMP solutions. Its primary purpose is to guide engineers in comparing alternative designs by quantifying all relevant costs from initial installation through operation, maintenance, and eventual replacement.

Scope & Purpose

This authoritative practice governs the procedure for conducting LCC analyses specifically for corrugated metal pipe applications in drainage systems. It encompasses the evaluation of alternatives that fulfill identical functional requirements, considering costs such as initial design and construction, ongoing maintenance, potential rehabilitation, and eventual replacement, all discounted to a present value over a defined project design life. The standard explicitly focuses on CMP and does not extend to the analysis of other materials or the determination of specific safety protocols, which are addressed by other documents.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Civil Engineers, Project Managers, Cost Estimators, Procurement Specialists, and Design Engineers involved in infrastructure planning and execution.
• • Industries affected: Civil Engineering, Construction, Municipal Infrastructure Management, Transportation Engineering, and Public Works.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but highly recommended for sound economic decision-making and best practice.
• • Enforcement: While not typically a regulatory mandate, compliance is often a requirement in project specifications, grant applications, or internal organizational policies to ensure due diligence and fiscal responsibility.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires professionals to systematically identify project objectives, functional requirements, and all viable design alternatives. It mandates the establishment of uniform assumptions for each alternative, including a consistent discount rate to account for the time value of money and a defined project design life. Key provisions include the compilation of all relevant cost data, encompassing initial installation, future operational and maintenance expenses, and potential rehabilitation or replacement costs, all discounted to their present value. Finally, the practice requires a comparative evaluation of the calculated LCC for each alternative to identify the most economically advantageous option.

Related Standards & References

ASTM A930 works in conjunction with other essential standards. ASTM E917, "Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems," provides a broader methodological foundation for LCC analysis that A930 tailors to specific buried conduit applications. Additionally, relevant ASTM specifications for corrugated metal pipe materials, such as those under Committee A05, are crucial for defining the physical characteristics and expected performance of the pipe itself, which directly impacts maintenance and service life assumptions within the LCC calculation.