Ever wonder how a particular infrastructure will last? The factors considered in designing the infrastructure decades ago have changed a lot.
With the growing population, changing climate, technology advancement, do our infrastructure have the integrity to meet all these changes?
How long will they last to support safely and efficiently the public and industry? All infrastructure has a lifespan even if they were designed to last for several centuries.
Infrastructure is designed and constructed with different design factors. Thus, they have different length of service. Then you have natural or man-made fortuitous events that may cause its failure or total destruction.
In order to give you some ideas about the average lifespan of different infrastructures, check this out:
Roads and Bridges
With the number of roads and bridges that collapse even before the government can make the necessary action, we can say that their lifespan was not estimated consequently.
According to the current typical base design of bridges, they normally have a lifespan of 50 years.
Although some are going higher up to 70 years, several considerations are needed, such as the design and the budget.
Roads and bridges are designed with load capacity, considering limited live load to avoid overstress that may shorten its lifespan.
Buildings
According to US Buildings Energy Data in 2008, most building lifespan median is 73 years.
However, the real life of a certain building will depend on different factors such as the quality of the materials, location, maintenance and even the weather.
The latest architectural design and materials used for highly sophisticated building construction nowadays definitely increase the building’s life expectancy.
Airport Structures
Airports are one of the busiest places every single day. Thus, airport authorities and architects are making sure to build great structures.
Airport buildings that are made up of highly durable materials will have a guaranteed average lifespan of 30 years.
In many airports around the world, much modular and architectural advancement are being applied today so that maintenance could be done easily.
Often times, the airport is the pride and attraction of a certain city. Thus, much attention is given to the structural art and design rather than the stability of the entire structure.
Conclusion
Clearly, many infrastructures built back in the 50s are starting to degrade and fail. Some of these infrastructures already lasted for 50 years and still functional.
The government needs to make an abrupt action in making the necessary repairs and renovation before things come to worse.
Infrastructure may be designed to last for about 50–70 years but external unforeseen factors may shorten its life.
Nevertheless, the town or city government may adopt a working infrastructure asset management plan so that infrastructure renewal are planned decades ahead.
Through the use of system software, infrastructure asset management professionals could well integrate the financial, technical demands and schedule of maintaining or renewing infrastructure.
Renewing infrastructure assets using a long-term asset management plan will have a positive impact on the resource and economy of a country.