Bridge monitoring is essential to ensure infrastructure safety and prevent risks associated with aging structures. The collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa in 2018 highlighted the need for rigorous and proactive monitoring of bridges and viaducts. This article explores the challenges, innovative technologies, and best practices to ensure the durability of these structures.
Challenges of Bridge Monitoring
The Morandi Bridge disaster exposed major structural failures and emphasized the urgent need for intervention on many bridges. Today, in France and across Europe, thousands of bridges show signs of aging, sometimes without corrective action being taken in time.
Effective bridge monitoring allows for:
- Preventing collapse risks by detecting structural weaknesses at an early stage.
- Optimizing maintenance by prioritizing interventions based on the real condition of structures.
- Reducing maintenance costs by minimizing emergency repairs and focusing on preventive actions.
- Ensuring user safety by monitoring deformations, cracks, and mechanical stresses that could compromise the structure’s integrity.
Innovative Technologies for Advanced Monitoring
Technological advancements now offer continuous monitoring tools for real-time tracking of bridge conditions. Several innovations stand out:
- Autonomous connected sensors: These measure critical structural parameters continuously, such as vibrations, displacements, temperature, and humidity.
- Drones and advanced imaging: They facilitate visual inspections in hard-to-reach areas.
- Augmented reality and 3D modeling: These reconstruct and simulate the condition of structures to predict future changes.
- Artificial intelligence and big data: These analyze collected data to detect patterns and issue alerts when anomalies occur.
The "Connected Bridges" national program was launched to promote these new approaches, aiming to transform the monitoring and management of road and rail infrastructures using advanced technologies.
Best Practices for Bridge Monitoring
To ensure efficient and reliable monitoring, several best practices should be implemented:
- Regular Inspections Even with sensors and automated systems, visual inspections remain essential for a complete assessment of bridge conditions.
- Integration of Monitoring Technologies Combining connected sensors, drones, and data analysis provides a comprehensive view of infrastructure health.
- Real-Time Analysis and Rapid Intervention Collected data must be processed in real time to identify risks and anticipate necessary interventions.
- Training and Awareness Engineers, technicians, and infrastructure managers must be trained in new technologies and best practices for bridge monitoring.
Ensure the Safety and Longevity of Your Bridges Today
Aging infrastructures require advanced solutions to guarantee their longevity. Feelbat provides cutting-edge monitoring solutions to support engineering firms, surveyors, building experts, municipalities, and construction companies in the proactive management of their structures.
With structural monitoring sensors, optimize preventive maintenance and ensure the safety of your infrastructures starting today.
Press contact
Agence Impulse Communication Paris
Marie Legrand – marie@impulse-communication.fr – 06 09 88 62 27
Julie Dalsace – julie@impulse-communication.fr – 06 78 70 96 05