Aging bridges are crumbling. Here’s how new technologies can help detect danger earlier |
New signs of deterioration recently discovered on the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge in Montréal have spurred the Québec government to reinforce beams and install shoring just to keep the structure open.
The bridge carries about 87,000 vehicles a day, yet requires constant monitoring and emergency repairs to ensure its safety.
This is a reminder of how aging concrete can deteriorate and cause safety problems.
Canada has thousands of concrete bridges like Île-aux-Tourtes that are reaching or exceeding their intended lifespans. As these structures age, they become more prone to deterioration, much of it happening slowly and out of sight.
Our research focuses on the modelling of concrete structures that might deteriorate due to environmental stresses and aging. Our goal is to determine how long a structure remains safe and, if necessary, what retrofitting strategies are applicable.
To fully understand these risks, researchers can make use of the most recent technological advances such as drone imaging, AI-assisted defect detection and non-destructive testing to collect regular and reliable data about a structure’s condition.
Combining these technologies with advanced computer modelling........