| Numerous countries are experiencing
problems created by a decaying infrastructure. This
often necessitates the costly repair or replacement of
important structures, some of them after only a relatively
short lifetime. Faced with these problems, governing
authorities are increasingly demanding a greater emphasis on
life cycle costs for new construction, as opposed to
considering only the initial capital costs. This
approach helps to focus attention on the total costs,
including the frequency and cost of future maintenance and
replacement work.
Cost analyses for concrete highway bridges have revealed
that the selective use of stainless rebar increases the
initial capital project costs by 1% to 10%, depending on the
size and complexity of the bridge. This "modest"
initial cost increase can be offset by reduced maintenance
costs.
Consider the following:
- Maintenance costs.
- Cost of materials.
- Cost of man hours.
- Traffic congestion and disruption and lengthy
detours.
- Quality of life issues such as noise and dust
complaints by neighbors.
- Environmental impact and disturbance of
environmentally vulnerable areas such as wetlands,
national parks and protected areas.
- Cost of the above on the transportation and delivery
of goods and their impact on the economy.
Imagine a bridge with a CENTURY of service-life! |
