Measuring and Optimizing for Infrastructure Endurance

Abstract

Optimal facility repair planning is a challenge, especially as it applies to a portfolio of facilities constrained by a limited budget. This paper discusses a linear programming optimization method to develop improved maintenance and repair strategies. This method introduces a utility metric, termed component “endurance,” used to determine repair decisions to help maximize the financial health of a portfolio of facilities. A predictive model is used to calculate this endurance metric to measure the impact of repair decisions at a specified future date. This future impact is integrated into an optimization framework to guide repair decisions with the aim of avoiding excessive deterioration of the most valuable components while remaining within budget. This approach shows appreciable benefits over traditional component condition ranking approaches, including increased portfolio health and reductions in deferred maintenance.