Nachhaltigkeitsbetrachtungen zur Verstärkung und Instandsetzung von Brücken mit UHFB-Aufbeton

authored by

Marvin Wilkening, Peter Buitelaar, Vincent Oettel

Abstract

Sustainability considerations for an existing bridge strengthened with an UHPC overlay. Europe has a large number of dilapidated bridges and road traffic has increased significantly in recent decades. However, replacing a bridge is always the last resort from an economic and ecological point of view. The most optimal solution for deficient existing bridges is almost always to maintain them by strengthening and repairing them. An effective and cost-efficient measure is to apply an ultra high performance steel fibre concrete (UHPC) overlay to the existing concrete. This has already been demonstrated in numerous projects abroad. In order to assess the sustainability of this measure, this article presents a life cycle assessment of the existing Voorst bridge in the Netherlands, which was strengthened and repaired with UHPC overlay, taking into account all life cycle phases, including the effects of traffic disruptions during the strengthening measure. The results are compared with an equivalent replacing bridge to demonstrate the environmental benefits of the UHPC strengthening compared with a replacing bridge. Furthermore, a verification of the climate limit state is conducted. The investigations carried out and the results obtained show that the preservation of existing bridges with a UHPC overlay is far superior to a replacing bridge in terms of conservation of resources and reduction of CO₂ emissions, thus impressively demonstrating its extreme sustainability.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Concrete Construction

External Organisation(s)

Technische Universität Braunschweig
Independent Consultant

Type

Article

Journal

Beton- und Stahlbetonbau

Volume

120

Pages

40-53

No. of pages

14

ISSN

0005-9900

Publication date

03.2025

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Building and Construction

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 - Climate Action

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1002/best.202400089 (Access: Closed)