This volume investigates the methodologies and theoretical frameworks required to manage the entire life cycle of civil engineering systems, from initial design through maintenance and eventual decommissioning. The editors, drawing upon international expertise from the 2008 IALCCE symposium, compile a comprehensive set of technical papers that address the economic, structural, and environmental challenges inherent in long-term infrastructure management. The text serves as a foundational repository for engineers seeking to integrate life-cycle assessment into standard construction and maintenance practices.

Experts identify this collection as a foundational text for understanding the early development of life-cycle engineering as a distinct discipline. Readers frequently note the high technical density of the papers, which are primarily intended for professional engineers and academic researchers in the field of structural integrity.