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INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE IS AS IMPORTANT AS ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION”…

INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE IS AS IMPORTANT AS ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION” DISCUSS HOW THIS SHOULD INFLUENCE THE EDUCATION, TRAINING AND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERS?

The Balance of Infrastructure Maintenance and Original Construction

Most of our work involves design and construction of infrastructure with some consideration for working life.

Client organisations tend to be more concerned about asset management; the cost/risk balance.

Civil engineers can provide guidance on how to manage the risks associated with infrastructure maintenance e.g. slope instability of road and rail embankments/cuttings – reactive or proactive approaches and the cost comparison of frequent maintenance or remedial works.

The uptake of privately financed schemes e.g. PPP has required civil engineers to take account of infrastructure maintenance regimes as well as building new structures/infrastructure in the bidding process.

Therefore, as our work begins to incorporate more and more consideration for infrastructure maintenance, this needs to be reflected in education, training and professional development.

Future infrastructure should be designed to minimise the need for maintenance

What change is needed in Education, Training and Professional Development?

The first taste of infrastructure maintenance is often once we start work.

Education of Civil Engineers through HND/degree courses, concentrates on new build schemes. Appreciation is needed for rejuvenation/redevelopment schemes, and relative costs compared to brownfield sites.

Engineers need to be aware of levels of growth and usage of infrastructure (demographics) and should learn to design for estimated usage levels

More higher degrees needed in related topics.

There are not enough CPD courses e.g. Thomas Telford on asset management and related topics.

Technician Engineers, educated through on the job training/ day release.

Training of chartered/incorporated engineers, key objectives to be achieved in areas of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation schemes etc. Design process to consider ease of maintenance (CDM) and lifecycle engineering.

An example of training neglect and lack of resource is in the NZ (signalling) where skills are being brought in from overseas to meet demand.

Asset Management

Councils more likely to re-use their asset and ‘sweat’ it.

Asset management plans delivered as part of the construction

Lifeline register to understand where to spend money on maintenance

SiD

Health safety at work act focusing on thinking about maintenance

Safety of maintenance staff, maintenance will always be required, eliminating maintenance is unlikely. Need to ensure design takes into consideration the safety of staff.

Use of materials which require less maintenance

Materials and replacements which can be sourced quickly, not a long lead in time.

Value Engineering: Designer’s need to consider cost of maintenance over design life when pricing/designing scheme.

Innovation: Use of possible modern technological advances and innovative ideas to reduce maintenance costs.

Conclusion

Infrastructure maintenance is an essential part of civil engineering and is just as important as original construction

To achieve sustainable development we need to combine effective asset management alongside designs considering whole life costs.

Education, training and CPD are essential for making the civil engineer aware of the importance of maintenance.

The balance of civil engineering emphasis is shifting towards asset management in conjunction with value engineering for original construction.  This can be seen in many new privately financed schemes where the risks associated with infrastructure maintenance are being transferred to those best equipped to handle them.

Whilst civil engineers are capable of carrying out infrastructure maintenance, some elements e.g. asset data collation and detailed (statistical and financial) risk assessments may require additional training.  Some non-civil engineering professionals are doing this work as well.

Therefore, we need to move with the times to maintain a strong role in the field of infrastructure maintenance, and show our clients that we are able to understand the problems and make judgements on performance of the assets