Special Issue on Advanced Technologies for Bridge Design and Construction

In light of the increasing frequency of large-scale natural disasters worldwide, critical infrastructures such as bridges, which serve as vital links between cities and prefectures, are often devastated. It is imperative to understand why these bridges fail under the force of natural calamities and to develop modern bridge designs that are not only more robust and resilient, but can also be restored quickly after a disaster. This Special Issue invited papers that provide insight into pioneering, advanced bridge technologies. The focus spans technologies including rapid, intelligent, automated, and state-of-the-art IoT systems, all designed with safety in mind. These systems should either aid in swift reconstruction post-disaster or help in minimizing damage from such events.

A total of 15 papers are presented in this Special Issue. Tita et al. [1] highlighted the growing role of Industry 4.0 within the architectural and construction sectors. By integrating health monitoring with digital twins for bridges, they proposed an innovative method to understand and enhance the structural integrity of existing bridges. Shao et al. [2] addressed a significant gap in understanding the implications of steel–concrete bond properties on RC structures. Rather than the traditional focus on bond strength, the authors explored the broader consequences of bond characteristics, offering essential insights for seismic design. Huang et al.’s [3] comprehensive examination of the Xiangsizhou Bridge’s construction established a model for efficient bridge construction methods. Huang et al. [4] skillfully tackled the safety concerns in flat anchorage tensioning processes. Wang et al. [5] presented an innovative approach to analyzing circular diaphragm walls based on the Circular Cylindrical Shell Theory Calculation Method (CCSTCM) and validated it against both finite element simulations and on-site measurements. Zhu et al. [6] delved into real-time monitoring of railway cable bridge foundation displacement using satellite observations. Wang et al. [7] bridged the gap between traditional cable force adjustment methods and modern optimization techniques by incorporating the influence matrix into a mutation-driven multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm. Chikahiro et al. [8] demonstrated the reinforcing effect of the strut members on the scissors-type bridge using both theoretical and numerical methods, determining that the most effective reinforcing configuration was a double warren truss. Ario et al. [9] introduced a novel design method for a scissor-type bridge using influence line diagrams and equilibrium equations. The comparative lower stress in their proposed design versus the double-Warren truss suggests a promising direction for future emergency bridge designs. Seo et al. [10] proposed a pre-tension method employing a hydraulic cylinder that can be manufactured on-site and is easily movable for repeated use, with a concrete pile acting as an internal reaction force. Kusimba et al. [11] assessed the structural health and adaptation potential of the Acrow Bailey Bridge as a permanent structure. Wang et al. [12] explored the effect of seismic excitation on the dynamic pressure exerted by water inside a bridge’s arch rib using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model. Huang et al. [13] introduced a practical calculation method to determine the load of the tower applied by a cable system during the cable lifting construction of arch bridges. Zenzai et al. [14] presented a practical formula to estimate the maximum load-bearing capacity of partially concrete-filled steel tubes (PCFST) without resorting to intricate numerical analysis and estimation procedures. Finally, Huang et al. [15] described a distinctive Y-shaped steel box arch bridge under construction in China, marking it as a groundbreaking initiative in advanced bridge design.

In summary, these studies jointly explore technological advancements and innovative methodologies in the realm of bridge design, construction, and maintenance. Although submissions for this Special Issue are now closed, more comprehensive research in this domain continues to address the challenges of our times.