THE SCIENCE OF CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE

Abstract

It is difficult to find a clear-cut definition for the notion of construction maintenance. Even among practising professionals there is no complete agreement on this matter. Experts dealing with buildings and their colleagues dealing with other types of constructions usually use different interpretations of maintenance. Maintenance and operation of constructions are incorporated in the scope of construction management. Apart from natural assets the greater part of our national wealth is constituted by constructions. Safety - as well as value - of constructions decrease unless designing is carried out with sufficient foresight. Maintenance of roads, bridges and the railway system is governed by legal regulations. Unfortunately, no similar legal framework has been set up so far in the field of buildings. That is partly due to the complexity, caused by the existence of various kinds of buildings. The costs of maintenance are the ones to be paid all through the life-cycle of a building. (Even if the building is not operating for some reason, maintenance must be carried out to preserve consistence!) Therefore planning of costs related to maintenance is essential. Activities of maintenance include the elimination of deficiencies, upkeep and renovation. Maintenance significantly alters the wearing process of constructions. The activities related to maintenance of constructions are represented in the management plan. Planning and organisation of maintenance activities require the expertise of numerous well trained qualified engineers but at present this field is neglected on the national scale. That is so, even if appropriate human resources are available, for instance at our department.