An engineering philosophy for the next wave of infrastructure renewal

Abstract

This paper examines engineering philosophy in relation to the renewal of aging or outdated infrastructure. The results of this study indicate engineering solutions for infrastructure renewal that:
· are standardised,
· remain relevant for the longest period,
· have the lowest operational risk profile when implemented, have the highest inherent value and hence provide the best return on investment.
We conclude that engineering for infrastructure renewal that is guided by the principles of standardisation, obsolescence reduction and operational risk mitigation has the highest inherent value. We have also found evidence of synergy between these principles.