Service life study of 188 fixed steel bridges

The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management has commissioned the Iv, Movares and ProClass consortium to conduct a large-scale study on the service life of fixed steel bridges. The study aims to prioritise the renovation and maintenance of the civil engineering works. The study will span at least 3 years and cover 188 fixed steel bridges. This is the largest contract in this field in the history of the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management.

Many fixed bridges from the 1950s and 1960s are nearing the end of their service life. These bridges are now subject to heavier loads due to increased traffic. It is, therefore, essential to determine whether the bridges should be replaced or renovated. To carry out this extensive programme properly, it is necessary to establish which bridges should be given priority. Regular inspections are not focused on computational studies and are unsuitable for assessing residual life and strength. Therefore, the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management has tendered a special contract to carry out this specialised study for all fixed steel bridges, including the supports, expansion joints and concrete decks.

The study on the service life of fixed steel bridges will contribute to a better understanding of the condition of these civil engineering works. The result will enable the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management to prioritise renovation and maintenance better, ultimately improving the overall safety and reliability of the infrastructure. Unnecessary or premature renovation or replacement of civil engineering works will also be prevented, saving a lot of material, time and money.