Sustainable Practices in Bridge Construction

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable practices in bridge construction signify a transformative shift towards environmentally conscious and socially responsible engineering. By prioritizing eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient designs, innovative construction methods and monitoring and maintenance activities, the industry seeks to minimize its environmental impact. Utilizing recycled or locally sourced materials, coupled with efficient waste management, further enhances sustainability. Beyond ecological considerations, a focus on community well-being involves stakeholder engagement, safety prioritization and minimizing disruptions during construction. This holistic approach aligns bridge construction with the principles of responsible development, emphasizing resilience, economic efficiency and societal benefits. As the engineering landscape adapts to the imperative of sustainability, the integration of these practices showcases a commitment to building a future where infrastructure not only meets transportation needs but also fosters environmental and social harmony.

This Special Issue aims to provide insights into bridge construction and maintenance, considering the importance of sustainability and achieving sustainable development for humanity. The design of new bridges and the assessment of existing ones must address the impacts of climate change given rising temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events and changing precipitation patterns. Engineers are incorporating climate projections into their processes to anticipate the challenges associated with this issue. In addition, monitoring systems play a key role in assessing bridge performance in the presence of climate-related stressors. Advanced sensor technologies, data analysis and real-time monitoring enable engineers to identify potential vulnerabilities and respond promptly to emerging problems. Continuous monitoring helps bridge authorities make informed maintenance, repair and retrofit decisions to improve the longevity and adaptability of structures.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Eco-Friendly Materials: the use of sustainable and recyclable materials in bridge construction;
• Energy-Efficient Design: the incorporation of design elements to optimize energy consumption and reduce environmental impacts;
• Local Sourcing: preferences for locally sourced materials to minimize transportation-related emissions and support regional economies;
• Innovative Construction Techniques: the adoption of advanced construction methods that reduce environmental degradation and resource consumption;
• Waste Management: the implementation of efficient waste-management strategies to minimize the environmental footprint of construction activities;
• Social Impact Assessment: consideration of the broader impacts on local communities, including stakeholder engagement and safety prioritization;
• Life Cycle Assessment: the evaluation of the environmental impact of a bridge over its entire life cycle, from construction to decommissioning;
• Biodiversity Conservation: the implementation of measures to protect and enhance local biodiversity in and around bridge construction sites;
• Sustainable Transportation Integration: designing bridges with a focus on promoting sustainable transportation options, such as pedestrian and cycling infrastructure;
• Climate-Resilient Design: the incorporation of design features to enhance bridges' ability to withstand the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events and rising temperatures;
• Extreme Weather Preparedness: the implementation of measures to ensure bridges can withstand more intense storms, heavy precipitation and other climate-related extreme weather;
• Adaptation Strategies: the development and implementation of adaptive strategies to retrofit existing bridges for increased climate resilience;
• Sustainable Drainage Solutions: the integration of sustainable drainage systems to address changing precipitation patterns and reduce the risk of flooding;
• Climate Change Impact Assessments: comprehensive assessments of the potential impacts of climate change on existing and planned bridge infrastructure;
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: collaboration between engineers, climate scientists, policymakers and communities to develop holistic solutions that address the intersection of climate change and bridge infrastructure;
• Monitoring Systems: the installation of advanced sensor technologies for real-time monitoring of bridges to detect climate-induced stresses and vulnerabilities;
• Sensor Technologies: the use of advanced sensor technologies for real-time monitoring of structural health and performance;
• Data Analytics: the application of data analytics to interpret information collected from monitoring systems and identify trends or anomalies;
• Vibration Analysis: monitoring vibrations to assess structural stability and identify potential issues;
• Environmental Monitoring: continuous assessment of environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) that may impact a bridge's structural integrity;
• Remote Sensing: the integration of remote sensing technologies, such as satellite imagery or drones, for comprehensive bridge monitoring;
• Predictive Maintenance: the implementation of predictive maintenance models based on monitoring data to address potential issues before they become critical;
• Risk Assessment: regular assessment of the risks associated with bridge usage, environmental factors and aging infrastructure.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Sustainability. 

Dr. Vanni Nicoletti
Dr. José Campos Matos
Dr. Jakub Kralovanec
Guest Editors

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• energy-efficient design and maintenance of bridges
• innovative bridge construction techniques
• bridge life-cycle assessment
• sustainable transportation integration
• climate-resilient design and restoration of bridges
• climate change impact assessments
• monitoring systems on bridges
• sensor technologies
• predictive maintenance of bridges
• multi-risk assessment of bridges