CONSERVE: CONCRETE BRIDGES AND DAMS SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION AND INTERVENTION

Important results from the project

Away from the described conventional approaches based on limited efficiency, predefined inspection scheduling and corrective measures, CONSERVE will contribute to a knowledge-based and data-driven infrastructure assessment, by advancing state of the art (SoA) methodologies, tools and technologies and integrating them into an operational framework that facilitates both optimised and user-friendly decision-making on life-time extension of RC/PC concrete bridges and dams and on their sustainable and predictive maintenance.

Expected long term effects

Savings by avoiding replacement: Among the approximately one million European road bridges, 80-90 % are made of concrete or steel reinforced concrete, and at least 50% of railway bridges are made of concrete or concrete/steel. Replacement cost has been estimated to 400 billion€ in 20043. Considering inflation adjustment and assuming an increase of bridges that need substitution due to lack of appropriate maintenance. Based on the current situation it can be assumed that at least 10 % of the EU concrete bridges can gain 30 years extended service life with CONSERVE intervention.

Approach and implementation

CONSERVE project proposes an innovative, user-centric and knowledge-based structural assessment and maintenance workflow supported by operational procedures, models and datasets integrated in digital tools that facilitate practical implementation with the highest level of safety and reliability. the workflow originates from a preliminary assessment stage rooted in current practices, what will enhance integration with existing infrastructure management systems and procedures.