SDC SAM – Smarter Structural Asset Management
The challenge
Structural assets such as cranes, port infrastructure, and offshore equipment are vulnerable to fatigue, buckling, and corrosion due to operational stress and aging. Traditional maintenance approaches are often reactive, relying on fixed schedules or post-failure inspections. This increases the risk of unexpected failures, non-compliance, and costly downtime - especially in high-demand logistics environments.
The innovation
SDC SAM is a web-based platform that combines Finite Element Analysis (FEA), real-time inspection data, and intelligent workflows to proactively manage structural integrity. It creates a digital twin of each asset, enabling:
- Continuous monitoring of stress, fatigue, and crack propagation
- Dynamic recalculation of fatigue life and inspection intervals
- Integration with sensor data and third-party systems
- Role-based access for engineers, inspectors, and service providers
- Seamless integration with PLM/ERP systems
This approach allows maintenance to be targeted where it’s needed most - improving safety, reducing inspection time, and extending asset lifespan.
How it works
Developed by SDC Engineering using expertise from SDC Verifier, SDC SAM was built to address industry pain points like fragmented data and inefficient inspections. The platform supports multiple assets and inspection points, with a modular design that scales across operations.
Pilot programs tested features such as stress peak detection, crack tracking, and life extension modelling. The user-friendly interface ensures accessibility online and offline, with real-time dashboards and automated reporting.
Case study
In early deployments, SDC SAM enabled terminal operators to keep 60-year-old cranes operational without unplanned downtime. The FEA-based approach delivered 95% accuracy in stress and fatigue predictions, while the web interface reduced inspection time by giving technicians instant access to up-to-date structural data. Users reported improved safety, better maintenance planning, and fewer disruptions.
Potential impact
SDC SAM transforms structural asset management by:
- Reducing downtime and inspection costs
- Extending asset life through predictive maintenance
- Improving safety and compliance
- Centralising structural data for better decision-making
- Enabling scalable deployment across diverse asset types
- Date
- 22/07/2025
