Assessment of the Lifespan of a Site Drilling Machine in Saudi Arabia and India Using Correspondence Analysis

The lifespan of site drilling machines is a critical factor influencing construction projects’ cost, efficiency, and safety. While previous research has identified various factors affecting machine longevity, a significant knowledge gap exists in quantifying the relative importance of these factors and their combined impact, particularly across diverse geographical regions like Saudi Arabia and India. This study addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive risk assessment of the lifespan. The research aims to identify and prioritize the most critical factors impacting lifespan and quantify their contributions to lifespan reduction using correspondence analysis (CA) and the matrix assessment method. A systematic literature review identified 30 risk factors: operational factors, environmental conditions, equipment design and quality, maintenance practices, and operator skill and training. A survey of construction professionals in Saudi Arabia and India, alongside a global perspective, provided data on the probability and impact of each factor. CA and matrix assessment methods were employed to analyze the data, revealing regional variations and commonalities. The results demonstrate that “Operator Training” is consistently a high-impact, high-probability risk across all regions. However, the relative importance of other factors, such as soil conditions and overloading, varies significantly between Saudi Arabia and India. This study introduces the integration of CA and the matrix assessment method to offer a systematic, data-driven approach to the problem. The findings provide actionable insights for construction companies, engineers, and project managers, enabling targeted risk mitigation strategies, optimized maintenance planning, and improved operator training programs. Ultimately, this research contributes to more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective construction practices by extending the operational life of vital drilling equipment.