Assessment of European railway bridges for future traffic demands and longer lives – EC project “Sustainable Bridges”

Abstract

A European Integrated Research Project has recently been started within the 6th Framework Program of the European Commission. The project aims at improved methods for the upgrading of existing railway bridges within the European railway network. The main objectives of the project are to increase the transport capacity by allowing higher axle loads and by increasing the maximum speeds. Other objectives are to increase the residual lifetime of existing bridges and to enhance management, strengthening and repair systems. The overall goal is to enable the delivery of improved capacity without compromising the safety and economy of the working railway. A consortium consisting of railway bridge owners, consultants, contractors, research institutes and universities will carry out the project, having a gross budget of more than 10 million Euros. Funding from the European Commission covers a major portion of the four-year project costs.

Keywords:

• Railway bridges
• Assessment
• Monitoring
• Strengthening
• Residual lifetime

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements are given to the European Commission for their support to this important project within FP6 (the sixth framework programme). Acknowledgements are also given to the European railway bridge owners and their representatives in the project and to all the European partners participating in the project. Further information on the project and the project organization is found on www.sustainablebridges.net

Notes

First published online 4 April 2005.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ingvar Olofsson

First published online 4 April 2005.