How does the condition of a structure develop over decades – and which measures are required, and when? FCP has developed an integral life cycle model that uses detailed degradation models to forecast and optimise the entire maintenance requirements of individual structures through to entire networks.
Methods for modelling of relevant aspects of life-cycle engineering (LCE) have been developed both for individual structures from the fields of construction engineering, substructures, superstructures, electrical engineering etc. and for whole sections or networks.
The core of the model is the prediction of condition development of engineering structures and their components by means of degradation models developed in great detail which are calculated for every structure or component depending on the structure type, material, product, age, the documented maintenance state and the standards valid at the time of construction. On the basis of the developed degradation models measures are derived in form of a forecast of the measure type (maintenance / renewal) and the associated times.
Measure derivation (reinvestment and repair works) at the structures based on the degradation models is assigned to the respective costs by means of database-based cost benchmarks for direct life-cycle costs (LCC due to structural interventions) as well as indirect LCC (follow-up costs of a limitation of route availability).
Areas of Application
- Forecasting of (remaining) service life
- Simulation of short-, medium- and long-term far-reaching structural interventions (maintenance / renewal) according to RVS 13.05.11
- Determination of necessary long-term budgets / optimization of the available financial means
- Analysis regarding indirect life-cycle costs (unavailability / carbon footprint)
- Determination of the amortization costs (change of owner / operator) according to RVS 13.05.21
- Prioritization of the urgency of the expected structural maintenance interventions
- Prioritization /containment of the structures to be annually checked
- Backlog analyses, i.e. impact of updating of insufficient financial resources on condition development and investment backlog
