ReINfoRCed: Assessment and rehabilitation of concrete structures affected by corrosion through digital twins and eco-efficient strengthening

Currently, many reinforced concrete structures are nearing the end of their service life or show clear signs of deterioration, such as that caused by corrosion. In such cases, it is necessary to assess whether it is possible to restore or increase their load-bearing capacity through repairs or strengthening, or whether demolition and replacement are required.

From a circular economy perspective, extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure is preferable to demolition and reconstruction, as it reduces resource consumption and associated emissions—provided that appropriate safety and functionality levels can be ensured. However, such decisions must be based on rigorous life-cycle analysis, taking into account not only economic costs but also social and environmental impacts.

With this challenge as a starting point, the ReINfoRCed project aims to establish a framework for extending the life of reinforced concrete structures through digitalised assessments, sensor-based monitoring systems, and strengthening techniques following eco-efficiency criteria.

To support decision-making regarding whether to extend the life of an infrastructure or opt for its replacement, the project will develop and apply experimental, analytical, and numerical methods for comprehensive life-cycle assessment. It will also create and validate digital tools to analyse the structural behaviour of existing elements, such as interoperable digital twins and corrosion detection systems. In addition, a web-based application will be made available to assess shear resistance using a methodology based on different levels of approximation.

To extend the service life of deteriorated or underperforming reinforced concrete structures, the project will compare several reinforcement techniques: fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP), textile-reinforced mortars (TRM), and shape memory alloys (SMA). Special attention will be given to eco-efficient TRM solutions that incorporate low-carbon footprint mortars and natural fibres. These solutions will be experimentally characterised to assess their mechanical behaviour and durability.

The project will also carry out experimental research on the behaviour of corrosion-affected reinforced concrete elements with structural redundancy, and assess the effectiveness of TRM reinforcements in improving their structural response.

Impact

The project seeks to actively contribute to the transition from a linear economy model—based on use and discard—towards a circular economy that encourages asset reuse, reduces resource consumption, and minimises waste generation and emissions from new construction. At the same time, it will foster the digitalisation of the assessment and rehabilitation processes of buildings and infrastructures.

This approach is particularly relevant considering that many critical reinforced concrete infrastructures in Europe were built over 50 years ago and are now nearing the end of their service life. This makes efficient, sustainable, and digitally advanced management of their maintenance and potential reuse even more necessary, with broad social, economic, and environmental implications.

Budget and Funding

The project is coordinated by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), in collaboration with the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) (UIB). With a total budget of €270,595, the project began in December 2022 and will conclude in September 2025. ReINfoRCed is funded by the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (2021–2023) and by the European Union's NextGenerationEU programme.