Flexibility in port infrastructure

Conference paper (2012)
Department
Hydraulic Engineering (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2012 The Authors
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Published Date

20-02-2012

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Source:

COPEDEC 2012: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Coastal and Port Engineering in Developing Countries, Chennai, India, 20-24 February 2012

Faculty

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

Department

Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract

The present volatile environment continues to place new functional requirements on port infrastructure. As a result, the useful life of port infrastructure has reduced in recent years. Flexibility in infrastructure makes it possible to adapt them for new or changed use. The use of flexible and sustainable solutions infrastructures needs to be promoted - though initially more costly, these may prove economically over their whole life cycle. Our approach was to carry out a real life case study which entailed an investigation into the technical and financial feasibility of flexible design concepts for an ongoing port project in Rotterdam. This exercise has lead to insights into the suitability of flexible infrastructures for various uses and situations. The benefits of a flexible design concept were monetized and included, sot that the resulting business case was viable. The study also served to highlight some barriers to the design, planing, and implementation of flexible infrastructures.