Which one of the following factors should be kept in view while fixing the design period for waterworks?
- AFunds available for the completion of the project; if more funds are available, the design period shall be more
- BLife of the pipe and other structural materials used in the water supply schemeCorrect
- CAs far as possible the design period should be longer than life of materials used in the water supply scheme
- DRate of interest on the loans taken to complete the project; if it is more, it will be good to keep design period more
Solution
Concept
Factors governing the design period
Step-by-step solution
1. The design period should not exceed the useful life of the pipes and structures. 2. It also depends on funds, interest rate and growth rate, but a high interest rate favours a shorter period, and the period should not be longer than the life of materials.
Explanation
Pipes and structures cannot serve beyond their useful life, so the life of materials is a limiting factor in fixing the design period.
Why the other options are wrong
(c) says the design period should exceed the life of materials, which is wrong. (d) reverses the effect of interest (high interest → shorter period). (a) is incomplete, as funds are only one factor.
Shortcut
Design period ≤ life of materials.
Common mistake
Choosing the funds statement.
Correct answer: B) Life of the pipe and other structural materials used in the water supply scheme