This is a guest blog by Nick Heim, P.E.
As engineering professionals, we continually seek innovative ways to improve our industry, enhance efficiency, and ensure the safety of the public.
One way that public safety is enhanced is through periodic inspection of structures susceptible to deterioration by the elements.
Periodic inspection often uncovers issues, the remediation of which may require significant funding.
When reviewing the results of periodic inspection, asset owners often ask how these costs can be reduced in the future. The answer: service life optimization.
What Is de Sitter’s ‘Law of Fives’?
In Part I of this series, we discussed the Law of Fives in detail.
To recap: The theory proposes four distinct phases of the lifecycle of any concrete structure:
- Good Practice (initial design and construction, quality control)
- Maintenance (periodic inspection; general maintenance practices)
- Repair and Maintenance (isolated concrete removal and replacement)
- Renovation (widespread concrete removal and replacement)
The name of the theory originates from the statement that:
“One dollar spent in (phase) A equals $5 in (phase) B equals $25 in (phase) C equals $125 in (phase) D.”
Practical Examples of the Law of Fives
For the purposes of this example, consider parking structures of various types as the subject asset. We will focus on phases B, C, and D.
[Read more…] about Costs for Service Life Optimization Part II: de Sitter’s ‘Law of Fives’
