National Highways has launched a research project to improve how it detects steel corrosion within concrete structures, as it seeks to tackle the increasing challenge of managing its ageing bridge stock.
The government-owned company said it is looking to revolutionise the way it monitors and maintains bridges and other structures on ‘the ambitious journey towards self-monitoring and self-maintaining bridges'.
It described the corrosion of steel elements, often encased in concrete, as one of the greatest threats to structures on its network.
The research project, Structures Moonshot, is focusing on two specific features: the steel tendons in post-tensioned structures and reinforcement within concrete half-joints – a ‘shelf' constructed at the end of one span to support the adjacent span.
National Highways said these features can be vulnerable to deterioration but are difficult to access and often require intrusive investigations. It has launched a competition as part of the project to find innovations that can detect defects sooner and resolve the issues in a less disruptive and non-destructive way.
Colin George, deputy dead of structures and project sponsor for Moonshot, said: ‘If we could find new ways of detecting defects sooner it will revolutionise our bridge maintenance, safety and efficiency.
‘The underlying ambition of Moonshot is to maximise the benefits of recent and rapid advances in technology, tackling the increasing challenge of managing and maintaining the safety and use of our ageing bridge stock.
‘The aim is to reduce the number of unplanned interventions on our roads network - which will mean a better experience for road users – and ultimately to see the automation of activities traditionally undertaken by personnel on site such as inspections and monitoring.'
The project is being taken forward by the Atkins-Jacobs Joint Venture (AJJV) which will carry out testing and research to identify the most suitable technologies for conducting advanced forms of non-destructive testing (NDT) on structures.
National Highways suggested that new approaches may include experimenting with machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect critical hidden structural defects. Solutions could range from advanced sensors, imaging technologies and machine learning algorithms.
Successful entrants will be given the opportunity to test their innovation on sample bridge sections taken from the decommissioned A14 Huntingdon Railway Viaduct (pictured).
This will provide a platform to showcase their products before the sample is demolished, allowing participants to validate their results.
Testing will focus on two areas. The first is established NDT technologies not currently used on National Highways structures, which were previously identified for further investigation.
The second will be new and emerging technologies identified in the feasibility stage and those discovered through the competition.
