Restlevensduur

Restlevensduur is a Dutch term that translates as "remaining life" or "remaining useful life" (often abbreviated RUL). It denotes the expected time span during which an object, system, structure or person will continue to function, be usable, or remain alive under specified conditions. The concept is used across multiple fields including engineering, asset management, actuarial science, healthcare and cultural heritage conservation.

In engineering and asset management, restlevensduur refers to the projected time an asset can perform its intended function before repair, replacement or decommissioning is needed. Estimation methods include statistical life‑table analysis, failure‑rate models, condition monitoring, degradation modeling and expert judgment; predictive maintenance increasingly relies on sensor data and machine learning to improve RUL predictions. In actuarial and demographic contexts, restlevensduur corresponds to remaining life expectancy derived from mortality tables and population statistics.

Factors that influence restlevensduur include design quality, material properties, load and usage patterns, environmental exposure, maintenance history, technological obsolescence and regulatory changes. Units of measurement are typically years or operational cycles, and estimates often include uncertainty intervals.

Limitations of restlevensduur assessments arise from incomplete data, changing operating conditions, rare or extreme events, and model assumptions. Because of these uncertainties, decisions based on restlevensduur—such as budgeting, safety planning or conservation priorities—commonly combine quantitative estimates with professional judgment and conservative safety margins.