Materials in bridge engineering: creating a more sustainable future

Abstract

Building infrastructures are essential to the future of cities and urban growth. Since material is the gateway to the realization of bridge design concepts, it plays a vital role in Bridge Engineering. The journey towards future encompasses a key leading driver, Sustainability, that will have an impact on our long-standing engineering practice and shape the future to a more efficient and resilient one.In this paper, we present principles that show in which direction is the future of materials in bridge construction heading to. For examples, how to optimize materials performance, how materials can contribute positive influence on sustainability, how to reduce materials consumption and how to extend the life span of bridges? Project references based on each principle demonstrate the know- how to create a more sustainable future.