Project description
Preserving our bridges for the future
Masonry arch bridges (MABs) are crucial to our transportation network, yet many show signs of distress, putting both their function and cultural value at risk. Limited funding and growing environmental concerns make it difficult for transport agencies to manage and preserve these structures effectively. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SUPMAB project seeks to develop a novel, multi-criteria framework based on Bayesian decision theory. Aiming to help the sustainable preservation of MABs, the framework integrates environmental, social, and economic factors to optimise maintenance strategies, ensuring these bridges endure for generations while reducing costs and environmental impacts. Ultimately, SUPMAB offers a smarter, more sustainable way to protect both heritage and infrastructure.
Objective
SUSUPMAB project aims to develop, test, and validate a novel strategy for the sustainable management and preservation of masonry arch bridges (MABs) considering the unique features of these structures and their cultural heritage and social value. SUPMAB responds to the urgent need for cost-effective and sustainable techniques for extending the lifetime of MABs, many of which exhibit signs of distress.
MABs are a vital part of transportation infrastructure and form part of our cultural heritage.
Transport agencies and councils are facing significant challenges in managing and maintaining MABs. The limited funds allocated for risk management and mitigation mean that they need to correctly identify the structures more at risk to prioritize interventions. The increasing importance of environmental (i.e. climate change-related) considerations in the maintenance and renewal of infrastructure assets also means that factors such as energy and resource consumption and carbon emissions must be considered in addition to monetary costs in the decision-making process. Finally, the actions taken by bridge managers (e.g. closure, retrofit) must be soundly justified and accepted by the communities affected.
SUPMAB aims to develop a novel multi-criteria framework for MAB risk management practice to aid decisions concerning the inspection, assessment, monitoring, operation and repair/strengthening of these structures. Based on Bayesian decision theory, the proposed framework considers several overlooked attributes of enhanced condition assessments, such as modelling/analysis sophistication and knowledge/information content, and environmental and social indicators in addition to economical ones, to define optimal management and maintenance strategies for MABs. The proposed framework can extend further the life of MABs and preserve these cultural heritage assets for future generations by promoting the implementation of cost-effective, sustainable, and shared management strategies.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
G1 1XQ Glasgow
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.