case study
reduce the risk of corrosion-related deterioration and the need for disruptive repairs.
the lower initial cost of the carbon steel option has been overtaken by the cost of repair. A second repair cycle in year 70 brings the modelled 100-year cost of the carbon steel structure to $913 092. The stainless steel option is modelled with no structural maintenance over the same period, leaving its cost at $850 000. On these assumptions, the difference is $63 092, or about 7%, in favour of stainless steel. The calculation does not include wider costs such as traffic delays, lane closures or the consequences of premature structural failure. These should be considered alongside direct repair costs when decisions are made. Designing for the next century The wider lesson is not that one material suits every project. It is that material selection should reflect the exposure conditions, design life and consequences of failure. In high- corrosion environments, stainless steel reinforcement can
Sassda advocates for three changes in the way public infrastructure is planned and procured: • Specify stainless steel where exposure warrants it . In coastal locations and areas exposed to de-icing salts or other severe corrosion risks, stainless steel reinforcement should be assessed for the most vulnerable parts of the structure. • Use life-cycle costing in procurement. Project bids should be evaluated against realistic maintenance and repair costs over the intended service life, alongside the initial construction price. • Reduce risks that cannot be seen. Reinforcement and other critical components embedded in concrete should be selected with their exposure, inspectability and long-term performance in mind. Ponte Morandi’s collapse had multiple causes, and no single material change can guarantee that a structure will be safe. But the disaster underlines the consequences of allowing deterioration to remain hidden and of judging infrastructure by its initial cost alone. Choosing durable materials, supported by sound design, inspection and maintenance, is an investment in safer, longer-lasting public infrastructure.
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Issue 4 – 2026
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