Steel bridges are long-lasting, high performing constructions to connect traffic lines over an obstacle e.g. a river, other traffic lines, valleys. Additionally the material steel has a good repairability, reusability, recyclability, End-of-Life value and robustness which make steel bridges more circular compared to concrete alternatives. The different ways of deterioration lead to maintenance strategies which are modelled at the girder and deck-subsystem.

The different design options are:

The intervention time of the options are:

Shallow deck overlay SDO = 18 y

Maintenance M = 6 y

Concrete deck replacement DR = 36 y

Steel deck replacement SDR = 60 y

The maintenance timeline of the best performing option 4 with circular material flow is shown below.

References