The failure of bridge constructions is often linked with technological, economic and ecological problems as the maintenance is often to be carried out during traffic.

With regard to the infrastructure of water management (e.g. drinking water reservoirs) there are high requirements for the quality and durability of surface coatings. Nevertheless, many coatings of drinking water reservoirs only last for a few years.

The status determination and estimation of future restoration expenses of constructions is currently realised by means of simple methods such as visual examinations and experience-based flat-rate values. However, the low value of this information may result in fatal misinterpretations and thus in unpredicted costs and misinvestments.