Set-Based Design for Bridge Optimization: Minimizing Cost, Construction Time, and CO2 Emissions

Journal article, 2026

While bridges are an essential part of the infrastructure, their construction is resource intensive. Reducing construction time and optimizing bridges could reduce their climate impact. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for reducing material and construction cost (henceforth referred to as cost), as well as construction time and CO2 emissions for grouping and optimizing bridges using set-based design (SBD). The grouping is based on the free area under the bridges and the benefits of construction time due to the learning curve. In this study, a script is developed that performed finite-element analysis and conducted necessary design checks for all the bridges investigated. The bridges generated from SBD were then compared with bridges from a reference project. The results show that in a project with several bridges, SBD could be used to group bridges and reduce cost and construction time without a negative impact on CO2 emissions. Reducing cost and construction time without negative impact on CO2 levels in infrastructure projects is a huge benefit for the society.