Mapping the transition to industrialised bridge construction in the Netherlands: Pathways to standardised IFD practices across the supply chain
M.L.J. de Jong (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Daniel M. Hall – Mentor (TU Delft - Design & Construction Management)
W. Lyu – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Real Estate Management)
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Abstract
The Dutch bridge sector faces an unprecedented renewal challenge, known as the Vervanging en Renovatie (V&R) challenge. Furthermore, the V&R challenge is intensified with shortages of skilled labour, material scarcity and national circularity goals. Traditional, bespoke delivery methods are too slow and resource-intensive to meet the circularity ambitions and V&R challenge. In response to these challenges, there is a growing consensus that industrialised construction methods are a key part of the solution. Among them, Industrial, Flexible and Demountable (IFD) construction is viewed by supply-chain actors as particularly promising. Supported by the recently developed Dutch Technical Agreements (NTA 8085, 8086, 8089), IFD enables modular, prefabricated bridge systems designed for reuse and adaptability.
This thesis explores how the adoption of these unified standards can be promoted to accelerate the IFD transition. An abductive, exploratory, qualitative design was used, combining theory and empirics through systematic combining. The research included a multiple-case study of three IFD bridge projects and 14 semi-structured interviews with supply-chain actors. A custom evaluation matrix assessed each case’s industrialisation, flexibility, demountability, and NTA conformity.
Findings show that IFD and NTA implementation is advancing but uneven. Industrialisation remains limited to prefabrication, flexibility is underdeveloped, and demountability is relatively mature. Collaborative procurement frameworks enable learning and innovation, whereas traditional D&C contracts can constrain progress. Furthermore, interviews revealed seven key barriers (e.g. NTA-specific limitations and lack of coordinated leadership) and three interventions themes (e.g. communication and regulatory instruments).
In conclusion, effective NTA adoption relies on coordinated client leadership with a phased mix of systemic interventions. Building awareness competence and partnering through communication-oriented interventions can help NTA adoption. Also, institutionalising and aligning regulatory instruments by continuous refinement and gradual formalisation of the NTAs within procurement frameworks can enhance consistency. Moreover, economic incentives can improve financial feasibility. Ultimately, governance alignment and sustained public-sector leadership are essential to transform isolated pilots into a unified, platform-based IFD bridge supply chain, enabling large-scale, circular bridge renewal aligned with the V&R challenge and sustainability objectives.