CZS Endowed Professorship for Sustainable Infrastructure - Resource-efficient maintenance and repair of bridge structures

Focus:	Resource efficiency
Type of funding:	Individual funding programmes
Programme:	CZS endowed professorships at universities of applied sciences
Funded institution:	Mainz University of Applied Sciences

The endowed professorship develops pioneering approaches to maintain and modernize bridge structures in a resource-efficient manner. This requires innovative concepts that combine material technology developments, monitoring of structures with digital methods and resource-efficient construction methods.

Goals

Germany has a large number of bridges with structural deficits and a considerable need for repair. Technical solutions for refurbishment are available and are also being implemented. However, sustainability and resource efficiency are often neglected. Recycled materials have so far mainly been used in components subject to low loads. Conventional materials are currently mainly used for reinforcements. This aspect is being further researched with the endowed professorship with regard to energy balance and durability. Digital methods and monitoring can be used to support damage assessment, repair and monitoring of structures. Overall, the professorship aims to develop holistic concepts for the preservation of bridge infrastructure.

The following research focuses are relevant: Maintenance aspects, optimization of refurbishment processes through construction methods that reduce material consumption and construction time, material innovations, digitalization and monitoring. The endowed professorship rounds off the focus on infrastructure and enables Mainz University of Applied Sciences to establish sustainability more firmly in research and teaching in civil engineering.

The professorship is to be appointed for the winter semester 2026/27.