UK-China science bridge - sustainable solutions for the built environment

The remit of the UK-China Science Bridge focussing on sustainable energy and built environment is to accelerate the deployment of research knowledge from Queen’s University Belfast to leading Chinese universities and research institutions who are partners of the bridge. As the emphasis of this Science Bridge is sustainable energy and built environment, the aim is to undertake proof of concept studies on Queen’s University-developed technologies in this field at leading Chinese universities and research centres. Particular attention is given to non-destructive testing and sensors for monitoring the durability of structures as well as a novel form of construction called ‘flexible arch’. The Chinese counterparts aim to set up monitoring systems in concrete bridges where the sensor systems from Queen’s will be employed. Data from these monitoring stations will be used to predict the service life and the structural health performance of concrete bridges in marine environments. The aim of this paper is to introduce this international collaborative programme and describe the research undertaken so that other organisations can benefit from the outcomes.