Structural health monitoring plays a critical role in maintaining and extending the service life of key infrastructure assets, such as bridges. Traditional methods often require intrusive and disruptive equipment, but a new wave of digital tools and smartphone applications is changing the game.
Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is one such technology that leverages cameras, ranging from conventional ones to CCTV and drones, to capture detailed information about asset movement, rotation, stress, and service life. Computer vision algorithms then analyze the data collected, providing valuable insights into an asset’s performance. DIC offers numerous benefits, including minimal public disruption, reduced time and costs, scalability, improved safety, and higher-quality data.
The adoption of DIC has been steadily rising due to advancements in technology. However, accessibility has been a challenge, as it typically requires specialist equipment and training. Enter smartphone-based DIC applications. With lower upfront costs, high portability, and intuitive interfaces, these applications can democratize structural health monitoring, making it accessible to engineers of varying levels and applicable on a large scale.
While there are challenges to overcome, such as environmental factors and hardware quality, the potential of smartphone DIC applications is significant. Artificial intelligence can further enhance this technology by processing large amounts of data and identifying anomalies, making it even more approachable and effective.
AtkinsRéalis, a leading infrastructure consultancy, has partnered with Digital Engineering Solutions (DES) to utilize its ISO-certified smartphone app for DIC. This app enables engineers to capture and analyze structural displacements with millimeter accuracy, providing immediate indications of asset condition and additional insights into structural performance. AtkinsRéalis has successfully used this app on various sites, monitoring deformations, supporting structural assessments, and ensuring the safe operation of critical components.
As infrastructure owner-operators focus on cost and sustainability, quality data becomes essential for maximizing the value of existing assets. The proliferation of digital tools and smartphone applications, such as DIC, represents a transformative shift in how the industry approaches structural health monitoring. By leveraging existing resources and developing accessible technologies, innovation becomes within reach, enabling efficient and data-driven asset interventions.
The structural health monitoring industry is experiencing a transformative shift with the rise of digital tools and smartphone applications. Traditional methods often require intrusive equipment and extensive training, but new technologies like Digital Image Correlation (DIC) are changing the game. DIC leverages cameras, including conventional ones, CCTV, and drones, to capture detailed information about asset movement, stress, and service life. Computer vision algorithms then analyze the data, providing valuable insights into an asset’s performance.
One of the key benefits of DIC is its ability to minimize public disruption, reduce time and costs, and provide scalable and high-quality data. However, accessibility has been a challenge, with the need for specialist equipment and training. Smartphone-based DIC applications are tackling this challenge by offering lower upfront costs, high portability, and intuitive interfaces. These applications have the potential to democratize structural health monitoring, making it accessible to engineers of varying levels and applicable on a large scale.
While there are challenges to overcome, such as environmental factors and hardware quality, the potential of smartphone DIC applications is significant. Artificial intelligence can further enhance this technology by processing large amounts of data and identifying anomalies, making it even more approachable and effective.
One example of a smartphone DIC application is the ISO-certified app developed by Digital Engineering Solutions (DES). Partnering with infrastructure consultancy AtkinsRéalis, DES’s app enables engineers to capture and analyze structural displacements with millimeter accuracy. This immediate feedback provides valuable indications of asset condition and additional insights into structural performance. AtkinsRéalis has successfully used this app on various sites, monitoring deformations, supporting structural assessments, and ensuring the safe operation of critical components.
In the current market, infrastructure owner-operators are focusing on cost and sustainability, making quality data essential for maximizing the value of existing assets. The proliferation of digital tools and smartphone applications, like DIC, represents a transformative shift in how the industry approaches structural health monitoring. By leveraging existing resources and developing accessible technologies, innovation becomes within reach, enabling efficient and data-driven asset interventions.
For more information about structural health monitoring and DIC applications, you can visit the AtkinsRéalis website at atkinsrealis.com and Digital Engineering Solutions (DES) at digitaleesolutions.com.
The source of the article is from the blog portaldoriograndense.com