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Integrating fire safety into bridge design is essential for resilient infrastructure
Andrea Franchini1, Bosibori Barake2, Carmine Galasso3
1Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, London, UK. andrea.franchini.19@ucl.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|August 5, 2024
Summary
Bridge fires cause major disruptions and economic losses, necessitating improved fire safety in bridge design and retrofits. A holistic engineering approach integrating advanced fire analysis and risk modeling is crucial for resilient infrastructure.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Fire Safety Engineering
Background:
- Frequent bridge fires lead to significant disruptions and economic losses.
- Existing bridges often lack adequate fire-safety measures, increasing vulnerability.
- The built environment faces increasing uncertainty due to climate change and evolving risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the need for enhanced fire-safety in bridge design and retrofitting.
- To advocate for a holistic engineering approach to address bridge fire risks.
- To promote the integration of fire analysis and risk modeling for resilient infrastructure.
Main Methods:
- Discussing the limitations of current bridge fire-safety strategies.
- Highlighting the benefits of innovative fire analysis techniques.
- Proposing the integration of multi-hazard and future-oriented risk modeling frameworks.
Main Results:
- Current approaches are insufficient to mitigate bridge fire risks effectively.
- A holistic engineering strategy offers a pathway to improved bridge resilience.
- Integrating advanced methods into risk modeling enhances infrastructure sustainability.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive engineering approach is essential for addressing bridge fire risks.
- Future-oriented risk modeling is key to developing sustainable and resilient bridges.
- Proactive fire-safety design and retrofitting are critical for infrastructure longevity.
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