Value of information analysis in civil and infrastructure engineering: a review

• Published in: Journal of infrastructure preservation and resilience 2021-05, Vol.2 (1), p.1-21, Article 16
• Main Authors: Zhang, Wei-Heng, Lu, Da-Gang, Qin, Jianjun, Thöns, Sebastian, Faber, Michael Havbro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Bayesian analysis; Bayesian decision theory; Big Data; Civil Engineering; Communication theory; Computer applications; Data analysis; Decision analysis; Decision making; Decision theory; Engineering; Engineering and Technology; Engineering risk analysis; Expected utility; Expected values; Information management; Information theory; Infrastructure; Infrastructure Engineering; Infrastrukturteknik; Literature reviews; Modelling; Optimum decision making; Review; Risk assessment; Risk management; Samhällsbyggnadsteknik; Structural health information; Structural health monitoring; Structural integrity; Teknik; Utility theory; Value of information
• ISSN: 2662-2521; 2662-2521
• DOI: 10.1186/s43065-021-00027-0

The concept of Value of Information (VoI) has attracted significant attentions within the civil engineering community over especially the last decade. Triggered by the increasing focus on structural health monitoring, availability of data and emerging techniques of Big Data analysis and Artificial Intelligence, important insights on how to take benefit from VoI in structural integrity management have been gained. This literature review starts out with a summary of the historical developments and contains (1) a summary of two different VoI analysis origins, (2) a compilation of existing VoI analyses research and (3) current engineering interpretations and applications of VoI in the field of civil and infrastructure engineering. VoI analysis has roots in communication theory and Bayesian decision analysis in conjunction with utility theory. Starting point is thus taken in brief introduction of these theoretical foundations, followed by a discussion on the relevant modelling aspects such as information, probability and utility modelling. A detailed review of relevant existing research is presented, divided into the following main areas: computational methods, optimal sensor placement and engineering risk management. Finally, by way of conclusion and outlook, challenges and some promising directions for VoI analysis in the field of civil and infrastructure engineering are identified.