Registration, Coffee & Table-top Exhibition networking

Introduction

Richard Fish (CHAIR), Independent Consultant and Technical Secretary, Bridge Owners' Forum

Introducing CIRIA’s new guidance Non-destructive testing of civil structures (C798)

In combination with other sources of data, NDT can be used in the processes that safely and efficiently manage structural assets. And yet, for a variety of reasons, the full potential of NDT in civil engineering is yet to be realised. The aim of the new guide Non-destructive testing of civil structures (C798) is to improve this situation by supporting a better-informed, and therefore more successful, application of NDT techniques within the sector.

Speakers :
Tim Abbott, Bridges Practice Lead, Transport, Mott MacDonald Leo McKibbins, Technical Director & Account Leader, Civils Asset Management Team, Mott MacDonald Richard Fish (CHAIR), Independent Consultant and Technical Secretary, Bridge Owners' Forum

Bridge half-joint inspection using acoustic emission technology

Half-joints on bridges present difficulties at the time of carrying out inspections due to the complex geometry of the structure. The areas subjected to the largest amount of stress on half-joints are normally corner areas that are totally non-accessible neither visually nor with other non-destructive inspection methods. Acoustic emission is the recommended inspection method for half-joints following for example the CSC 464 document, which sets out specific requirements for the inspection of bridges in the United Kingdom.

The workshop will present some examples of bridge half-joint inspections considering all practical aspects of the testing operations. Also covered will the variables to consider for the inspection of half-joints with a complex geometry and composite steel/concrete structures. 

Speakers :
Dr Alessandro Demma, Director, Omnia Integrity Richard Fish (CHAIR), Independent Consultant and Technical Secretary, Bridge Owners' Forum

Refreshments & Table-top Exhibition networking

Leveraging BIM for the design of low-carbon bridges

The path towards carbon neutrality is difficult and requires involvement of all parties. As engineers, we can make a significant difference because most of the carbon footprint is locked in at the conclusion of the design process. With this in mind, the ecodesign and digital strategies of international engineering and consulting group SYSTRA have recently culminated in the development and practical use of a unique carbon-emissions tool for bridge design. Carbontracker is a solution that measures the carbon impact of each step of the bridge design process, providing bridge engineers with real-time CO2-emissions information that can be taken into account during decision-making. The session will include a live demonstration of the solution in the context of a design review for a bridge.

Speakers :
Eric Pruvost, Head of Digital Engineering Services, SYSTRA Lucas Gibaud, CARBONTRACKER Lead Developer, SYSTRA Joanne Saunders (CHAIR), Structures Manager, Ringway Island Roads (Eurovia UK)

A SCORS-style rating scheme for bridges

In October 2020 a Structural Carbon Rating Scheme (SCORS) was published through the IStructE for the benefit of design professionals in the building industry. This scheme draws on previous benchmarking work carried out by RIBA and LETI and gives structural engineers a clear normalised measure of how carbon intensive their design is.

A year later, in 2021, Cameron and Daniel extended this format to propose a Structural Carbon Rating Scheme for Bridges (SCORBS). Using data from a carbon database encompassing many of COWI's current and historical projects they proposed a simple scale by which to assess the carbon performance of bridge schemes.

This workshop will introduce this simple benchmarking scheme, make a case for why these communication driven approaches are so important, and open up for plenty of debate from the floor.

Speakers :
Daniel Green, Principal Engineer, COWI Cameron Archer-Jones, Principal Engineer, COWI Joanne Saunders (CHAIR), Structures Manager, Ringway Island Roads (Eurovia UK)

Some practical tips for greener bridges

This interactive workshop shows delegates examples of ‘building less and maintaining more’, how to spot greenwashing, ‘carbon myths’ and a few other tips towards greener lower carbon bridges.

Speakers :
Dr David Collings, Technical Director Major Bridges, ARCADIS Joanne Saunders (CHAIR), Structures Manager, Ringway Island Roads (Eurovia UK)

Carbon neutral bridge management - achievable and achieved

Rochester Bridge Trust has reduced its ongoing carbon emissions in bridge management by 60% and is currently on target to reach full carbon neutrality by 31 March 2022. In addition, the Trust is currently planting an ‘ancient woodland of the future’ that will completely offset the embodied carbon generated during a major bridge refurbishment project recently completed.

Speakers :
Sue Threader, Bridge Clerk & Chief Executive, Rochester Bridge Trust Joanne Saunders (CHAIR), Structures Manager, Ringway Island Roads (Eurovia UK)

Lunch & Table-top Exhibition networking

Concrete and sustainability – a practical implementation

Rijkswaterstaat shares its goals and experiences in how to assist the contractor to give substance to sustainability. These include requirements in contracts for the contractor to achieve a lower footprint for concrete as well as through aiming for a lower Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) and setting requirements for reuse.

Speakers :
Valerie Diemel-Spruit, Senior Technical Consultant, Bridges and Viaducts, Rijkswaterstaat Joanne Saunders (CHAIR), Structures Manager, Ringway Island Roads (Eurovia UK)

Determining the structural safety of large numbers of structures

Rijkswaterstaat owns approximately 6,000 civil structures in the Netherlands, the vast majority of which are concrete bridges. As the owner, Rijkswaterstaat is responsible for the maintenance and the structural safety of these structures – but how can the structural safety of such large numbers of structures be determined effectively and efficiently? During this workshop we would like to share and exchange experiences and ideas with respect to the determination of the structural safety of large numbers of structures. What’s the UK approach? Is each object considered individually or do you use group strategies as well?

Speakers :
Bart van den Broek, Senior Technical Consultant Concrete Bridges, Rijkswaterstaat Richard Fish (CHAIR), Independent Consultant and Technical Secretary, Bridge Owners' Forum

Table-top Exhibition networking

Assessing bridges liable to debris accumulations and applications to the new scour assessment guidelines

The new National Highways DMRB CS 469 for the assessment of scour and hydraulic actions to bridges introduced the estimation of the effects due to accumulations of large woody debris. To this end, it is essential to identify those bridges that are liable to accumulated debris. This workshop will investigate recently developed methodologies based on satellite imageries and other low-cost desk-based techniques for identifying bridges at risk of accumulated debris, and will show the practical implications to the evaluation of Scour Risk Assessments.

Speakers :
Dr Diego Panici, Postdoctoral Researcher, Devon County Council Richard Fish (CHAIR), Independent Consultant and Technical Secretary, Bridge Owners' Forum

Workshop close