ISBN: 9279345869 9789279345869

Category: Unavailable

Page count: 119

In this research project a holistic approach has been applied to steel-composite bridges by combining analyses of Lifecycle Assessment (LCA), Lifecycle Costs (LCC) and Lifecycle Performance (LCP). Under the perspective of sustainability an entire lifespan, from the construction to the demolition of a bridge, is regarded. A valuable collection of data on LCA, LCC and LCP is obtained and life cycle scenarios are described including maintenance strategies. By postponing and pre-drawing of measurements optimisation towards cost-effectiveness and low environmental impact is achieved. Three representative types of road bridges were chosen and analysed. A differentiation between small motorway bridges, crossings of motorways and big motorway bridges is made. Complete case studies were performed throughout all aspects. In a second step variations and optimisation were applied. The behaviour of each component of bridges is affected by degradation processes such as fatigue, corrosion and carbonation. To capture the process of degradation is the basis of the description of the life cycle of each specific detail. In own tests for fatigue details (transverse stiffener and horizontally lying shear studs) and corrosion degradation models have been updated. In order to allow for comparisons and elaboration of advantages a multitude of variants were studied including also typical concrete solutions to identify the chances and advantages of steel-composite bridges. A workshop of experts was organised in Paris and gave a positive feedback to the project. Finally a user-friendly software tool and a handbook showing the methods' application to users have been prepared.