Rationalisation of building maintenance by Markov decision models: a pilot case study.

In this paper we develop a Markov decision model for rationalising building maintenance at a strategic level. Through a global modelling of deterioration we are able to determine the maintenance policy that ensures a specified average quality level at minimal cost. In this way we are able to produce a trade-off curve between overall quality level vs the minimum required level of maintenance costs. The model is applied in a pilot case for four main building elements, viz. masonry, pointing, window frames and painting of buildings owned by a building society. This demonstrates the value of the model as management instrument to determine and allocate budgets.