Project R-16820

Steel Bridge sustainable Repairs with Robotic solutions (Research)

BriBotic project aims to extend the service life of steel bridges through robotic and automated repair technologies that enhance safety, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable maintenance. Facing ageing infrastructure and growing traffic loads, it will deliver an integrated autonomous system for on-site repair, strengthening, and replacement of deteriorated steel components—avoiding costly demolitions and providing clear benefits for designers, operators, and authorities. Aligned with RFCS objectives, BriBotic extends bridge service life while reducing material use, CO2 emissions, and repair costs, supporting circular economy principles. Autonomous repair solutions will improve working conditions by limiting human exposure to hazardous environments and create new applications for steel in infrastructure maintenance. Though not focused on steelmaking, the project maximizes the value and sustainability of existing steel assets. The research integrates structural engineering, additive manufacturing, and robotics to develop automated localized repair procedures. Technologies under study include wire arc additive manufacturing, laser cladding, and cold spray, tested first at laboratory scale, then on representative bridge components with static printing. Effectiveness will be assessed through numerical and experimental tests. To achieve full autonomy, the study will scale up to mobile robotic systems, supported by virtual commissioning, and culminate in a prototype and pilot repair demonstration. Beyond bridges, BriBotic will deliver a validated repair methodology, a scalable toolkit for operators, and new business opportunities for European robotic manufacturers, with applications to wind turbines, offshore platforms, and other large steel structures. By uniquely combining robotics and deposition manufacturing, it offers a sustainable alternative to demolition, positioning Europe at the forefront of smart, safe, cost-effective infrastructure management.

01 September 2026 - 31 August 2030