Sustainable and reliable macro steel infrastructures
We strive to increase the reliability and circularity of large steel infrastructures and to develop governance recommendations that operationalize the technical knowledge.
SUBLIME stands for SUstainaBle and reLIable Macro stEel infrastructures. It is a collaborative research project aimed at developing solutions how to increase the reliability and circularity of these infrastructures. The project was granted by the Dutch national funding agency NWO in 2022 under project number KICH1.ST01.20.008.
About the project
Large steel infrastructures (bridges, sheet piles, lock doors) degrade in time through corrosion and fatigue. The goals of this project are to increase the reliability and circularity of these infrastructures and to develop governance recommendations that operationalize the technical knowledge. Predictive digital twins will be developed that integrate structural health monitoring and prediction models. This enables a much longer – but safe – use of these infrastructures. The consequent socioeconomic and environmental benefits will be assessed as well and this unique combination of scientific expertise will result in specific technical and governance recommendations to achieve sustainable and reliable steel infrastructures.
News and Updates
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.
WP3 Progress Meeting and Workshop on Sustainable and Reliable Steel Infrastructure
On 11 September 2025, the SUBLIME consortium convened at Leiden University for the WP3 progress meeting and workshop on sustainable and reliable steel infrastructure. Presentations by PhD researcher Faysal Tareq (Leiden University, CML) and Mic Barendsz (Bouwen met Staal) addressed material flows, carbon emissions, and circular design strategies. In the afternoon, Dr. Mohammad Hamida (TU Delft) led an interactive workshop exploring technical, environmental, economic, legal, and social challenges, and identifying possible solutions. The event highlighted the importance of combining material analysis, design practice, and governance perspectives to guide the transition toward circular and climate-resilient steel infrastructures.
Ali Sabzi to Present SUBLIME Research at IEEE SmartNets 2025 in Istanbul
On March 21, 2025, the SUBLIME project consortium gathered for its 2nd Annual User Committee Meeting. Hosted by North Sea Port (NSP) at its Vlissingen premises, the meeting brought together over 30 representatives from research institutions, industry partners, government bodies, and funding agencies to reflect on progress, share research outcomes and explore pathways for future collaboration.
The day featured presentations from PhD and EngD researchers, discussions on key user cases and a site-specific boat tour through the North Sea Port, highlighting the real-world relevance of the project’s themes—fatigue, corrosion, digital monitoring and infrastructure sustainability.
Pioneering the Future of Bridge Maintenance: Highlights from the SUBLIME Digital Twin Workshop
On March 21, 2025, the SUBLIME project consortium gathered for its 2nd Annual User Committee Meeting. Hosted by North Sea Port (NSP) at its Vlissingen premises, the meeting brought together over 30 representatives from research institutions, industry partners, government bodies, and funding agencies to reflect on progress, share research outcomes and explore pathways for future collaboration.
The day featured presentations from PhD and EngD researchers, discussions on key user cases and a site-specific boat tour through the North Sea Port, highlighting the real-world relevance of the project’s themes—fatigue, corrosion, digital monitoring and infrastructure sustainability.
Understanding Corrosion to Prolong the Life of Steel Sheet Piles: SUBLIME Consortium Meeting Update
On March 21, 2025, the SUBLIME project consortium gathered for its 2nd Annual User Committee Meeting. Hosted by North Sea Port (NSP) at its Vlissingen premises, the meeting brought together over 30 representatives from research institutions, industry partners, government bodies, and funding agencies to reflect on progress, share research outcomes and explore pathways for future collaboration.
The day featured presentations from PhD and EngD researchers, discussions on key user cases and a site-specific boat tour through the North Sea Port, highlighting the real-world relevance of the project’s themes—fatigue, corrosion, digital monitoring and infrastructure sustainability.
SUBLIME Project Explores Structural Reliability and Innovation at 2nd Annual User Committee Meeting
On March 21, 2025, the SUBLIME project consortium gathered for its 2nd Annual User Committee Meeting. Hosted by North Sea Port (NSP) at its Vlissingen premises, the meeting brought together over 30 representatives from research institutions, industry partners, government bodies, and funding agencies to reflect on progress, share research outcomes and explore pathways for future collaboration.
The day featured presentations from PhD and EngD researchers, discussions on key user cases and a site-specific boat tour through the North Sea Port, highlighting the real-world relevance of the project’s themes—fatigue, corrosion, digital monitoring and infrastructure sustainability.
Introducing Lotte Gerrits – New NWO Representative for SUBLIME
We are pleased to welcome Lotte Gerrits as the new NWO program officer for the SUBLIME project.
Lotte joined NWO in January 2025 after working as a postdoctoral researcher at Radboud University, where she also obtained her PhD in chemistry. With her background in research, she brings valuable expertise and a strong connection to the NWO organization.
Elena Zancato Wins Best Innovative Research Award at M2i Annual Conference 2024
Elena Zancato, a PhD researcher within the SUBLIME project, has been awarded the Best Innovative Research prize at the MaterialenNL Conference 2024, held at the National Sports Centre Papendal, Arnhem. Elena’s work integrates real-time Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) data with predictive models, offering safer and more sustainable infrastructure management solutions. Her achievement underscores the significance of her contributions to extending infrastructure life spans, reducing waste, and supporting circular economy goals.
Bridges to a Circular Society
We are excited to announce the publication of Karel Van den Berghe on circular economy strategies for large steel structures, part of the SUBLIME project. It is now available on “De Lichtkogel.nl,” delve into sustainable practices for infrastructure, focusing on the lifecycle extension of steel bridges through innovative technologies and design. This publication marks a significant step towards integrating circularity into infrastructure planning.
In Memoriam: Professor Paul Havinga
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.
First Annual meeting and Lunching of SUBLIME video
At our Annual project meeting, hosted by ARUP on March 22, 2024, we launched a new phase for the SUBLIME project. This project is all about using smart technology and engineering to make big steel structures like bridges and buildings stronger and last longer. We’re focusing on beating two big problems: fatigue and corrosion, with something called Structural Health Monitoring.
A Workshop on LCA: Launching Work Package 3 activities of SUBLIME project
On January 24, 2024, the kick-off workshop for the initiation of work package 3 was conducted at the University of Leiden. The workshop featured presentations by key contributors, including Arnold Tukker, the leader of work package 3, PhD candidates Faysal Tareq and Laura Bremenkamp, BmS, Madaster, and the Municipality of Amsterdam. The session concluded with a comprehensive discussion among the participants.
A Workshop on fatigue and dynamic loading: Unveiling Challenges and New Frontiers in Steel Bridge Health Monitoring
On November 8, 2023, the SUBLIME project marked a crucial milestone by hosting an insightful workshop in collaboration with esteemed industrial (ArcelorMittal, ARUP, BmS, ct de Boer, DDC, Inertia Technology, Municipality Amsterdam, Province Zuid Holland, Royal HaskoningDHV, Rijkswaterstaat, Somni Solutions) and academic partners (TU Delft, TU/e and U Twente).
Successful Kick-Off Marks the Start of the SUBLIME Project, Featuring Impact Workshop
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.