Building & infrastructure

Time for circular construction and safe infrastructure

Construction

A great deal of construction and renovation work will be needed in the coming years. Only by building circularly and industrially can we do this responsibly. However, a fully circular construction economy is still a long way off. And the increasing complexity and unfamiliarity with recycled and biobased raw materials are hindering the desired transition.

That's why TNO is collaborating with suppliers, contractors, property owners, and consulting and engineering firms on smart innovations to accelerate this transition. Our strength lies in developing, scaling up, and implementing circular and industrial innovations. With the constant challenge of making every solution safe, sustainable, and above all, affordable.

Infrastructure

Maintaining existing infrastructure costs infrastructure managers approximately €6 billion annually. The decision to repair, renovate, or replace depends on the condition of the infrastructure and its load. We are developing innovative technologies to assess existing infrastructure in the Netherlands and improve its maintenance and replacement.

We specialise in assessing the structural safety and lifespan of structures. Better information about the current and future condition of steel and concrete structures is a benefit for infrastructure managers.

We are also working on condition prediction. Monitoring structures, roads, and railways helps determine their current condition. By using the measurement data as input for a predictive model, we gain more insight into the future condition and the structure's remaining lifespan.

Using the latest technologies, we have developed a digital replica of a bridge deck from the Van Brienenoord Bridge. Ultimately, this predictive twin can be used for analyses that form the basis for proactive management and maintenance.

Science and innovation

At TNO, we combine science and innovation with social commitment. Rather than wait around, we keep moving — not alone, but together. And we always have one goal in mind: to help build a strong, sustainable, and future-proof society.

We invite you to contribute your ideas, join in the conversation and work with us — because it is precisely by combining our knowledge, experience, and ideas that we really make a difference.

TNO employees, the time setters

TNO employees are driven professionals who push boundaries every day. They develop innovative solutions in the areas of health, sustainability, digitalisation, and safety. In doing so, they make their mark on our time, the time setters.