New Research on AI-Driven Bridge Maintenance: AI-Powered Self-Monitoring and Self-Maintaining Structures

by | Jun 29, 2023 | News | 0 comments

Atkins-Jacobs JV tests AI and ML to enable self-monitoring bridges

Brief 

Embrace the new era of bridge maintenance with the National Highways’ Structures Moonshot project, using AI and machine learning for effective corrosion detection and damage mitigation.

 

Insight

This summer, an Atkins-Jacobs Joint Venture (JV) is leading an innovative research project commissioned by National Highways known as Structures Moonshot. This pioneering endeavour is seeking to use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies in creating self-monitoring and self-maintaining bridges, addressing significant infrastructure challenges.

The project targets the corrosion of steel elements within concrete structures, identified as one of the principal threats to bridges. Specifically, the project focuses on the steel tendons in post-tensioned structures and reinforcements in concrete half-joints. These elements are typically prone to deterioration and challenging to access without intrusive investigations and potential disruptions to road users.

Structures Moonshot aims to find solutions that allow the earlier detection of defects and provide less disruptive, non-destructive remedies. The goal is to move towards bridges that can self-monitor and self-maintain, reducing unplanned interventions on the road network, enhancing the user experience, and automating traditional on-site tasks like inspections and monitoring.

The Atkins-Jacobs JV will spearhead this project, conducting exhaustive testing and research to pinpoint the best technologies for advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) on structures. They are exploring innovative ideas such as using AI and machine learning to spot critical hidden structural flaws. The solutions could incorporate advanced sensors, imaging technologies, and machine learning algorithms.

The selected technologies will undergo real-world testing on sample bridge sections from the decommissioned A14 Huntingdon Railway Viaduct. The findings will be published to foster shared learning and collaboration within the construction industry.

The Structures Moonshot project signifies a considerable leap in the sector’s approach to asset management, with promising potentials to reduce costs, increase safety and sustainability, and prevent unplanned road and bridge closures. Organisations keen to trial emerging technology and innovations are encouraged to apply by the end of July, with testing set for August.

 

Highlight

  1. The project targets the corrosion of steel elements within concrete structures, identified as one of the principal threats to bridges. 
  2. Specifically, the project focuses on the steel tendons in post-tensioned structures and reinforcements in concrete half-joints.
  3. The goal is to move towards bridges that can self-monitor and self-maintain, reducing unplanned interventions on the road network, enhancing the user experience, and automating traditional on-site tasks like inspections and monitoring.
  4. The selected technologies will undergo real-world testing on sample bridge sections from the decommissioned A14 Huntingdon Railway Viaduct.

 

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