Material and cost-efficient optimized steel designs for long fatigue life - LONGLIFE

Purpose and goal

The project will enable new, more durable and resource-efficient steel constructions for our infrastructure. This is done by completing work on optimized beam systems with corrugated webs for fatigue-loaded steel structures, enabling these and other structures to be designed and manufactured with stainless or weather-resistant materials with low maintenance costs, long service life and maximized material utilization. The beam systems shall be finally optimized and verified for fatigue and design guides developed.

Expected effects and result

Beams with corrugated webs have major advantages over traditional flat webs. The project will verify the new corrugated beam systems for fatigue applications and increase the rate of implementation of advanced stainless and weather resistant steels and reduce the environmental impact from our infrastructure. The developed guidelines for how to design and manufacture these beams together with the new annex to Eurocode will enable fast design and implementation of these new structures with long life.

Planned approach and implementation

The project has a large scope with many participants with different areas of knowledge. To ensure the progress, the technical work is carried out in three working groups. Synchronization between working groups is ensured through project meetings with the entire consortium and work package meetings. Coordinator for the project is Swerim. The following work packages are planned: WP1: Design and optimization of beams with trapezoidal webs WP2: Production WP3: Verification by testing WP4: FE simulations and modelling WP5: LCC/LCA bridge WP6: Project management & dissemination