Henning Balck gives guest lecture at Kuwait City University
As part of an international exchange, Henning Balck from HELLER Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH delivered a guest lecture at the University of Kuwait City. In front of professors and aspiring civil and road engineers, he presented how a modern and integrated maintenance management system for road infrastructure is structured and implemented. The exchange was organized by NEXUS and supported by Dr. Senèn Sandoval (partner at NEXUS).
The lecture was based on the principles of ISO 55001, which ensure that all strategies and actions are consistently derived from the maintenance objectives of the road authorities. Using practical examples, Balck demonstrated how regular and systematic monitoring (condition surveys) enables the documentation and analysis of road conditions and trends, helping to identify priority areas for action.
A particular focus was placed on the materials used in road construction, as their composition and quality have a decisive influence on service life. Both Kuwait and Germany face similar challenges — especially the accelerated development of cracks in asphalt pavements. The shared goal is therefore to improve construction methods and extend the durability of the pavement structures.
The students showed great interest in the concepts presented from Germany, while valuable insights from Kuwait’s climate and engineering practices provided new perspectives for enhancing German methodologies as well.
Special thanks go to the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Kuwait City for the excellent organization. The new university building, the open exchange of ideas, and the warm hospitality left a lasting impression.
