Investigations to formulate a European dynamic interface between railway bridges and rolling stock are needed. New methods must be further developed with a particular focus on the interface with existing infrastructure.

The project stemming from this topic shall address all the following workstreams, which can be merged as needed and for efficiency by the applicants in their project proposal work-structure but their content should be addressed in full, including all the specific requirements described in the technical note “ERA technical note on work needed for closing TSI open point on Bridge dynamic”

• Workstream1: Further development of spectral methods (DER, LIR)
• Workstream 2: Definition of dynamic loading interface between vehicles and bridges
• Workstream 3: Economic evaluation of proposed Dynamic Train Categories (DTCs)
• Workstream 4: Sensitivity studies on train parameters
• Workstream 5: Selection of relevant vehicles in train families
• Workstream 6: Identification of realistic critical parameter combinations for existing bridges
• Workstream 7: Revision of j‘ and j’’
• Workstream 8: Revision of damping
• Workstream 9: Revision of beam model in parametric study to cover other structural forms
• Workstream 10: Acceleration limit
• Workstream 11: Revision of limits of validity of static vehicle / bridge compatibility checks

The starting date of grants awarded under this topic may be as of the submission date of the application. Applicants must justify the need for a retroactive starting date in their application. Costs incurred from the starting date of the action may be considered eligible.

Applicants shall ensure that their proposals and consortium reflect the aggregated expertise to perform the activities and achieve the objectives set by the topic. Scientific skills from academia and research centres are expected to be needed, as well as the gathering of the knowledge from Infrastructure Managers that should provide the needed access to real data of bridge/viaduct assets (to obtain info about its features, characteristics, geometry, materials and condition).