New software for bridge protection: Future of the engineers begins!

New software for bridge protection: Future of the engineers begins!

Universität der Bundeswehr München, 85577 Neubiberg, Deutschland - On February 12, 2025, the University of the Bundeswehr Munich (Unibw M) made significant progress in the development of software tools for risk detection. The 4C and Queens programs were specially created in order to predict potential dangers, such as collapsing bridges, with the help of computer simulations. These tools are not only technologically progressive, but also open source, which enables worldwide cooperation of around a third of the global research community. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Mayr and Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Brandstäter, members of the Working Group Computer -based simulation at the Institute for Mathematics and Computer -based Simulation (IMCS), play a central role in this research initiative.

The design of both software tools pursues the goal of analyzing complex risks in infrastructures such as bridges. The most common risks that can lead to a bridge collapse include material fatigue, high traffic loads and environmental influences. A tragic example of such risks is the fall of the bridge of the Dresden Carol Bridge in September 2024, which underlined the need for such preventive measures.

technological developments in bridge construction

The software 4C (Computational Community Code) focuses on the creation of virtual models that analyze mechanical questions in natural sciences, engineering and biomedicine. Queens (Quantification of Uncertain Effects in Engineering Systems), on the other hand, controls the simulation of many variants and thereby significantly improves the risk assessment. These tools are not only used in construction, but also in biomedicine, where they serve to model organs such as stomachs and blood vessels.

A critical point in the evaluation of bridges is the so-called 30-year cycle of bridge crashes, which was treated in an examination by Sily and Walker as well as Petroski. This theory suggests that serious incidents occur in bridge construction every 30 years, which are often due to exceeding the previous assessment limits or communication difficulties within organizations. These findings show that current statistical evaluations and new technological developments in civil engineering are essential.

Future -oriented approaches to bridge inspection

The Federal Institute for Roads (BAST) has also made progress in the reliability -based state assessment of intelligent bridges. A new analysis and evaluation procedure is to be developed in order to better determine the current state and the reliability of bridges. In this context, individual boundary conditions and economic aspects in the maintenance planning are of great importance.

The planned procedure includes the continuous state assessment and a probability -based design that enables it to grasp changes in the nature of bridges in real time. Particularly noteworthy is the need to optimize inspection and monitoring procedures in order to recognize damage mechanisms in good time and to take appropriate measures.

Developments in software technology and the currently progressive structural analyzes could mean considerable progress in bridge construction and in the safety of transport infrastructures. The works of Unibw M, Tum and Bast ensure a common goal: a safe and sustainable bridge system for the future.

For more information about the software tools 4C and Queens, please visit the websites www.4c-multipiphysics.org and www.queens-py.org .