LifeExt2-Implementation

Purpose and goal:

Develop methods for quality assurance of life-enhancing methods HFMI & TIG and study these with new NDT and laser scanning.

Also develop strategies and procedures for treatment with HFMI & TIG on bridge, and incorporate statistical assessments to improve pre-treatment assessment techniques, and test-implement the techniques on a bridge, i.e. assess the status, plan & treat with LifeExt methods and quality assure. This was done in collaboration with the bridge renovation project for the bridge in Stöde with good results. An update of the TRV regulations is pending.

Expected results and effects:

The test-implementation of LifeExt methods worked well and the temporary documents that were produced for procurement and on-site-work can be reused. Since there are several hundred bridges that need a corresponding update in the country, the project is expected to lead to more bridges receiving life-enhancing treatments, and that the work and methodology applied in the project can be utilised again.

In addition, missing HFMI fatigue data has been delivered for update of EC3 and HFMI Guideline. A course for HFMI operators was also developed and tested, all enabling more HFMI in Sweden. Approach and implementation:

The project was originally planned with 5 work packages and a 3-year duration. A bit into the project was an extension offered, additional application was made and granted. This resulted in another work package, but project end date was unchanged.

Fatigue testing of another important HFMI-treated detail was added, and a training course for HFMI operators should be developed and test-run. In general, everything has gone very well, despite that the project needed to "change bridge" and that testing was both challenging and took longer than planned. A very good cooperation has been the key.