A recent survey of key decision makers in the construction industry showed us the perception of risk and the importance placed on structural and geotechnical monitoring in local projects. The analysis was carried out by Sixense Romania, a company that offers expertise and digital solutions related to the structural condition of the built environment, represented by Mariana Garstea, CEO.

We then spoke to Ms. Garstea about the results of this analysis, what it tells us about the maturity of the construction market here, what conclusions we can draw, what signals and concerns it conveys.

According to your latest analysis, for 67.9% of decision makers in local construction projects, the importance placed on geotechnical and structural monitoring services has increased compared to a few years ago. How does this trend affect your business and what do you think is the reason for this growth?

We’re happy to see that too, but I can say that it’s a reality that didn’t change overnight. 11 years ago, when Sixense entered the Romanian market, geotechnical and structural monitoring was rarely talked about, and it was difficult to understand exactly how this activity could be digitized, optimized and how it could serve in the long term in all types of construction. projects

Now, many decision makers already know that through monitoring they can actively intervene in the maintenance of the asset, they can ensure the stability of the project, as well as its compliance with current regulations and standards, which is not at all small or important, they can have direct control over how the structure of the corresponding asset behaves.

All this, of course, is also reflected in the business of Sixense Romania, which has doubled this year compared to 2021, in the mentality of the biggest players in the construction industry, in the exact requests that come from them, and we hope to see more and more, and in the definition priorities of this service in public infrastructure projects, which, due to their complexity, benefit greatly from monitoring activities.

As I said above, I believe that this growth comes from several sectors: on the one hand, from the constant dialogue that we have started in this market and from the constant information of the beneficiaries, as well as from the framework imposed by the European Union, the signals , which come from the international level and which make it absolutely necessary to be concerned about the structural condition of the architectural environment and the impact of risks on it.

In addition, the important key point you highlighted in the last review also relates to the growing interest in monitoring projects throughout their life cycle. What do you think led to the concern about the operational period rather than just the execution phase?

And this aspect is a small victory for us, considering that we have always supported the fact that the added value of monitoring is visible especially in the operational phase and throughout the life of the project.

Again drawing a parallel with the birth of Sixense in the local market, monitoring was then only related to the construction period – and monitoring related to construction sites – but monitoring can lead to the effectiveness of the entire investment if it is also used in the operation phase. why Because thanks to the data you receive about the condition of the respective asset, you can proactively intervene, you can make decisions that save a lot of resources, you can avoid serious accidents or incidents that you could not have known about otherwise.

Again, I believe that information and dialogue are the two key things that led to the formation of critical mass in this case as well. The more professionals, consultants, specialists who can demonstrate the concrete benefits of this long-term thinking – as it should be in any case in the construction industry – the more it helps to raise standards in the industry and transform the discussion about sustainability and other very valuable concepts – into reality.

You argue that the digitization of a service such as structural and geotechnical monitoring, respectively, interest in the criterion of climate change impact are two aspects that are catching up with us and gaining momentum. Why are these questions important to the entire industry?

So it is. On the one hand, digitization means transparent data without the risk of errors, ease of obtaining it, as well as analysis and understanding, which is not comparable to the usual monitoring process. In addition, for critical infrastructure such as transport, this means monitoring real time, that is, the ability to be instantly informed about the risk of danger (for example, the collapse of a bridge or the crossing of critical safety thresholds). This is very important today and means a level of productivity that is no longer fair good to havebut should be a guideline for consideration and implementation wherever we deal with infrastructure projects (transportation and not only) on which the smooth functioning and safety of the community depends.

Similarly, the impact of climate change is also a reality today. It doesn’t take a lot of technical knowledge to understand that phenomena such as extremely high temperatures, drought, sea level rise, floods and others clearly affect everything from infrastructure and its proper functioning. All over the world, measures have been taken on this aspect for years, and the effect of this concern is also felt in Romania, especially with regard to transport infrastructure.

If we don’t develop and maintain transportation infrastructure that can adapt to climate shocks, if we don’t act now, we could end up with crumbling highways, damaged bridges, infrastructure that can fail and deteriorate at an incredible rate.

Our latest analysis also showed a high interest in climate risk monitoring for 67.9% of decision makers surveyed, i.e. dozens of builders, designers, developers and infrastructure managers in Romania.

Of course, the prospect is encouraging, although there is still much to change in perception. But we believe that gradually, with patience and perseverance, with the demonstration that all these aspects that we need to focus on will save us time and resources and help us align ourselves with quality standards, they will become the norm in the Romanian market.

Article supported by Sixense