Industrial secondment

Over the last few years, the asset management group has been examining the challenges in whole-life management of infrastructure assets and systems in collaboration with the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC). One of the key features of CSIC is the close working relationship we enjoy with Industry. We recently concluded a couple of successful projects with Mott MacDonald where two of their employees – Alex Gkiokas and Hooman Atefi Aghayan – were seconded to DIAL for six months in order to co-develop industry-ready tools for asset management.

The first of these is a decision-support tool for bridge portfolios that takes a predictive approach for long-term maintenance planning and short-term prioritisation. First, we develop a predictive maintenance plan for each component considering the data available from regular inspections and other sources. Next, an optimal plan that combines the interventions for the different components of the asset is decided. Finally, a yearly intervention plan for the different assets in the portfolio is developed considering traffic management and other costs, investment required, the value generated by these investments and the risk to the organisation.

The second project resulted in a BIM (Building Information Modelling) Assessment Tool that uses established performance measurement practices, BIM literature and other relevant standards. The tool is structured around the framework shown in the figure below and consists of two major parts: part 1, which measures the BIM development maturity, and part 2, which measures the supporting processes. The tool provides separate assessment of the different stakeholders (contractor, designer and employer), and is designed to be used as a continuous performance measurement tool that can be used to track the evolution of BIM maturity throughout the construction phase through to handover.

If you are interested in either of these tools, please get in touch with Dr Ajith Parlikad at aknp2@cam.ac.uk