Construction World October 2024

long-term evaluation capabilities. In a modular design, each unit can be individually assessed for performance and maintenance needs, allowing for targeted interventions. For example, by placing sensors at regular intervals across the segments of modular bridges, experts can effectively monitor structural health on an ongoing basis and perform repairs or replacements of singular modules instead of large portions of the affected structure. “South Africa needs to embrace new technologies and methodologies to set priorities and enhance maintenance processes, improving outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of any interventions – especially as our infrastructure networks grow. “By integrating innovative solutions into our monitoring, evaluation, and repair practices, we can maximise efficiency for the benefit of public service delivery and infrastructure budgets,” concludes Van den Berg. 

could then be used to predict and prevent issues long before they reach crisis-levels. Crowd-sourced maintenance and reporting Engaging the public in infrastructure maintenance can be a game-changer. A purpose-built mobile app could allow citizens to report issues such as potholes, broken streetlights, leaking pipes, overflowing sewers, road cracks, and bridge corrosion in real-time directly to the relevant authorities. Data analysis can further be automated with the use of machine learning algorithms to ensure that only relevant issues are directed to a human inspector for final examination and sign-off. Crowd-sourced data could help identify patterns and prioritise areas for further inspection by professionals, making the evaluation process more comprehensive and responsive. GIC already successfully integrates community participation in infrastructure development projects, believing that this input is integral to the

project’s ultimate success, and to ensuring that infrastructure is responsive to the community’s needs. However, this approach would require the support of technology to be effectively scaled to evaluate infrastructure across the entire country. Adaptive infrastructure design In addition to embracing technology and sensors, introducing a modular approach to infrastructure design for future projects could lead to more flexible and scalable systems, as well as improved

“A purpose-built mobile app could allow citizens to report issues such as potholes, broken streetlights, leaking pipes, overflowing sewers, road cracks, and bridge corrosion in real-time directly to the relevant authorities.”

EXPERT SERVICE. NO-HASSLE EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE. SEAMLESS OPERATIONS.

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11 CONSTRUCTION WORLD OCTOBER 2024