Lightweight structures for robotised production of large span bridges and buildings - LIGHTSPAN

Purpose and goal

The LIGHTSPAN project, financed by Vinnova, LIGHTer and participating companies, has run 20212023. It comprised of SEK 7.36 million, of which SEK 3.45 million from Vinnova. The goal of the project was to, in close cooperation between Automation, Construction, Infrastructure and research, develop new lightweight solutions that enable robotic production of bridges and roof structures. This should reduce construction time, waste, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Also reduce costs, increase sustainability and enable a more optimal material and process utilization.

Expected results and effects

Of the concepts developed, beams with corrugated webs and sandwich bridge decks show great potential and possibility for scaling and robotization. These concepts can enable designs with stainless steels to be no more expensive than today´s solutions. A GA-optimisation has been developed which can save up to 20% weight in the trusses. Expected effects are that scalable solutions for GC bridges and roofs are made available with environmental info via Chalmers Design Centre, presentations and publications. The project also provides insight in new welding and simulation techniques.

Planned approach and implementation

The project had 5 WP:s and 4 working groups. The working groups were created during the concept development phase and made a large part of the design and analysis work. Among other things, it emerged here that for a conventional concept, a large proportion of material, construction cost and weight, approx. 50%, is related to the bridge deck. Therefore, a deck optimization becomes important. A GA-optimisation has been developed which can save up to 20% weight in the trusses. The project start with creative concept development during COVID was a challange. But the results developed in time.