A life-cycle approach for quay walls

This paper is a short introduction into the way port infrastructure is designed up till now and the maintenance problems which arise, sometimes even soon after port infrastructure like quay walls has been put into use. An alternative approach is given in which, by means of risk analysis, the foreseeable and dominant ageing mechanisms for critical details are determined. In alternative scenario's the expected maintenance problems are tackled with proactive, preventive or corrective measures. On basis of whole-life-costing (net-present-value), i.e. means owner costs like investment, future inspections and maintenance together with benefits and user risks, the best scenario is chosen.