We are deeply saddened to announce the unexpected passing of Prof. Dr. Ing. Paul Havinga on May 3, 2024. A distinguished figure in computer science, Professor Havinga was a cornerstone of the University of Twente’s Pervasive Systems group and a driving force within the SUBLIME project. His leadership in Work Package 2, focusing on the development of a data platform and digital twins for steel infrastructures, was instrumental in advancing the project’s objectives.
Professor Havinga supervised PhD and EngD researchers, spearheading advancements in digital twin technology crucial for predictive maintenance and health monitoring of steel infrastructures. His innovative ideas for monitoring techniques were expected to significantly enhance the sustainability and reliability of these structures, extending their operational lifespan.
His enthusiastic participation and collaborative spirit during the SUBLIME project workshop and annual meetings fostered essential discussions and will leave a lasting legacy within the consortium. We deeply miss his vision and leadership but are comforted by the indelible mark he has left, which will continue to inspire future innovations in SUBLIME.
Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues during this challenging time.
Johan Maljaars and Viktoria Savran, on behalf of SUBLIME project consortium
For more information visit the U Twente website.
Monitoring steel bridges in practice: Van Hall Bridge featured online
The SUBLIME consortium is pleased to see that recent monitoring campaigns at the Van Hall Bridge in Amsterdam are now featured in an online article and video published by Aan de Gracht(en) Amsterdam. The publication highlights how in-depth monitoring of steel bridges contributes to a better understanding of their condition, vulnerabilities, and long-term performance.
CT de Boer Showcases SUBLIME Fieldwork at the 2025 M2i Conference
During the 2025 M2i Conference at Papendal, Anton Gorter of Civiele Technieken de Boer presented the progress of SUBLIME’s field monitoring work on the Van Hall Bridge in Amsterdam. His talk, “An on-site measurement campaign – it sounds so simple” highlighted the many practical steps and unforeseen challenges involved in collecting high-quality strain data on a historic movable steel bridge.
Sheet Pile Corrosion Study Begins
The SUBLIME project is taking a major step forward in understanding how steel sheet piles age in real port conditions. In close collaboration with North Sea Port (NSP), TU Delft researcher Prasaanth Ravi Anusuyadevi is preparing the installation of a new field-testing structure that will allow long-term monitoring of corrosion processes on S355 steel.
Following recent discussions between TU Delft and NSP, both partners agreed to install a dedicated sample-carrying structure directly in the port. The design includes three identical frames, each hosting nine steel samples and each intended for different exposure durations: 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. The samples will be positioned at different depths along the waterline to capture how corrosion varies from splash zone to full immersion.
Smarter Cameras from Fewer Views — A Sparse-View Pose Estimation
How do you recreate a 3D scene using just a few pictures from different angles? That’s a challenge many fields face — from drone-based inspections to 3D mapping for remote sensing or structural health monitoring. Qingyu Xian, PhD researcher at the University of Twente, is tackling this challenge head-on in the SUBLIME project with a novel tool that’s already showing strong results: the T-Graph module.
Smarter Testing for Steel Bridges: How Few Tests Can Tell Us More
Many steel bridges across Europe are reaching the end of their intended service lives, raising critical questions about how to assess and extend their safe use. Within the SUBLIME program (“Sustainable and Reliable Macro Steel Infrastructures”), our mission is to ensure that these critical structures remain safe, sustainable, and serviceable for decades to come. One of the program’s key objectives is developing smarter assessment tools that help us better understand the condition of ageing steel — particularly when data is limited. That’s where the work of Elena Zancato, PhD researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), comes into focus.
Researchers Get-Together-Day at DDC
On 9 October 2025, researchers from the SUBLIME project came together to explore how digital twins and drones can make our steel infrastructures more sustainable and reliable. The Get Together Day featured visits to the Dutch Drone Company (DDC) and the RDM innovation campus in Rotterdam — connecting research with real-world innovation and strengthening collaboration within the SUBLIME community.