Adaptation of bridges: Increasing life time and optimizing stiffness (C07)

• Subject Area: Structural Engineering, Building Informatics and Construction Operation ; Applied Mechanics, Statics and Dynamics
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 279064222

In Germany, there is a great need for renovation and new construction of motorway and railway bridges. Project C07 addresses this issue and investigates the potential of adaptive structures in bridge construction. This research project focuses on three adaptation targets, namely the retrospective adaptation of existing bridges to extend their service life, the adaptation of lightweight bridges with an unfavorable ratio of traffic load to dead load, also with the aim of extending their service life, and the adaptation of stiffness-dominated bridge structures to reduce deflections. In addition to the broad design approach for innovative adaptive bridges, the manipulation of the load-bearing and system behavior is pursued with a holistic approach in regards to the adaptation of deformations and vibrations.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1244: Adaptive Hüllen und Strukturen für die gebaute Umwelt von morgen
• Applicant Institution: Universität Stuttgart
• Project Heads: Professor Dr.-Ing. Manfred Bischoff; Professor Dr.-Ing. Lucio Blandini; Professor Dr.-Ing. Werner Sobek