The SUBLIME project, aimed at addressing the degradation of steel infrastructure and improving its reliability and circularity, has begun on a positive note with a successful kick-off meeting held on June 16, 2023 and hosted by Royal HaskoningDHV. The SUBLIME project aims to increase the longevity and safety of large steel infrastructures, such as bridges, sheet piles and lock doors, which are vital for the economy and societal well-being. The project recognizes the significant economic consequences and societal disruptions caused by structural safety issues, unforeseen closures, and the high costs of maintenance and replacement.
Over the course of the SUBLIME project, the consortium will work towards developing the predictive Digital Twin platform, refining the integration of SHM and SPM as well as providing practical recommendations for governance strategies. The project also aims to assess the socio-economic and environmental benefits resulting from the implementation of sustainable and reliable steel infrastructures.
During the event an IMPACT workshop was organised by Jennifer Faber from NWO. The workshop aimed to empower the project team members, researchers and industrial companies to maximize the societal impact of the research efforts. It also served as a crucial platform for the SUBLIME project participants to delve into the realm of knowledge utilization, stakeholder engagement and effective knowledge transfer strategies. The workshop featured an interactive session with insightful discussions, providing the project team with valuable insights and practical tools to enhance the societal relevance of the research outcomes.
By incorporating the NWO Impact workshop into the kick-off meeting, the SUBLIME project demonstrated its dedication to ensuring that its research findings and solutions have a profound and positive impact on society
"The NWO Impact workshop has provided us with valuable insights and practical strategies to ensure that our research efforts lead to real-world outcomes. By actively engaging with stakeholders and considering societal needs, we aim to make a substantial contribution to the sustainability and reliability of steel infrastructures."
With the successful kick-off, the project is now set to drive innovation and deliver tangible solutions.
SUBLIME workshop at TU Delft builds on earlier insights
On 1 April 2026, TU Delft hosted a follow-up workshop on Sustainable and Reliable Steel Infrastructures, continuing the work started during the first SUBLIME workshop held in September 2025 at Leiden University. The workshop focused on the challenges, solutions and stakeholders associated with the sustainable and reliable operation and governance of steel infrastructures.
New study helps identify effective monitoring strategies for steel bridges
A new publication from the SUBLIME project examines how monitoring and inspection data can improve the assessment of fatigue-critical details in ageing steel bridges. Fatigue cracks can develop gradually under repeated traffic loads. Reliable information about these cracks is therefore essential for deciding whether a bridge can continue to be used safely and when maintenance is needed.
SUBLIME Annual Meeting Showcases Progress, Collaboration, and Real-World Impact
On 27 March, the SUBLIME consortium gathered for its annual user committee meeting, hosted by ProRail in a unique and inspiring setting at the Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht. The meeting brought together academic researchers, industry partners, and infrastructure stakeholders to exchange insights, review progress, and strengthen collaboration across the project.
EngD Project Defence: Ali Sabzi Khoshraftar
The SUBLIME consortium is pleased to announce the successful defence of the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) project by Ali Sabzi Khoshraftar, who presented his work on the development and evaluation of predictive digital twins for steel bridge assessment and maintenance.
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.