HS2 sets up innovational agenda to cut carbon in viaducts

High Speed Two, also known as HS2, is government-funded and is known for working on and developing the UK’s new high-speed rail network.

HS2 has set up an innovational agenda with the aim of reducing carbon in their viaducts by ten per cent. To do this, HS2 are trialling their newest automotive design technology.

For the first time ever, the construction industry is deploying High Speed 2, the biggest and most spectacular high-speed railway network the UK has ever seen. This is thanks to the development of new and original technology designed to optimise automotive structures.

As part of its innovational agenda, HS2 is developing an exclusive automated civil engineering design procedure and method. This will be run by a new tool known as OptiStruct. This tool is thought to have the capability of embedding carbon into HS2 viaducts by nearly ten per cent.

Furthermore, the technology should be able to reduce viaduct design time from one month to as little time as one hour. This new tech allowed engineers to flex a viaduct’s design.

An example of this could be having the deck carrying the train slimmed, which in return will reduce cost, carbon and build time.

HS2 believes these innovative changes will achieve new standards in infrastructure, operations and passenger experience.

By using building materials in a more effective and useful way, without weakening the strength or longevity of the automotive, it has been thought that the new tool could limit the amount of carbon embedded in the structures by as much as ten per cent.

In 2023, HS2 is thought to be the largest transport infrastructure project in Britain. HS2 hopes to help transmit the newest high-speed rail network and add value to UK automotive industry by providing brand-new opportunities for innovative organisations outside of civil engineering.

How will these changes benefit the UK’s Infrastructure?

HS2 remain the backbone of Britain’s rail network and provides engineers with a tool to evaluate alternative designs that weren’t exactly previously realistic due to time constraints. By reducing development time, and running a range of new combinations of the design variables, this technology allows us to find solutions that minimise embedded carbon.

Our Rail and Infrastructure division delivers high quality temporary and permanent recruitment solutions to make your projects run as efficiently and cost effective as possible.

Get in touch today if you are interested in working with us or hearing more about our most recent projects.