KASAB BRIDGE HAS FALLEN DOWN: - REAL TIME MONITORING CAN PREVENT BRIDGES FROM COLLAPSING PART -2

Earlier in Part-1,I had elaborated on urgent need for Online real time monitoring of bridges using Photonics laser sensors that overcomes all limitation of conventional real time monitoring systems.

In Part-2, I am comprehensively covering Visual inspection, Cognitive sensors and Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things & Big Data. 

Eyes and Brain working concurrently Visual Inspection & Photonic Sensing

Photonic sensors can monitor and analyze in real time the condition of a bridge not only impacted by general wear and tear, load, but also due to weather including the water levels & pollution resulting to corrosion of reinforced steel in concrete due carbonisation.

Inspection using Drone

Once the photonic system identifies the damage on bridge, Drone with high resolution camera will be used to capture the details of damage. Photonic system will provide co-ordinates (Localisation) of Damage. The Drone will be directed to take capture live images of the damage. Thus Photonic system will operate like brain to sense where the damage is or expected to be and Image processing will function as eyes recording the image of damage. 

Inspection Using Remotely operated under water Vehicles (ROV)

Inspecting entire submerged exterior of pier or abutments of bridge is challenging. Commercial divers were assigned with tasks to inspect bridge edifice. But this carried limitation related to low light, wreckage mapping etc. Visual Survey is now possible with so called under water drones or technically Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to give an overall picture of integrity of the structure. The ROV can work against currents and hold its position facing the piers or other areas of interest. 

Examination of Bridge Structure by Visual Examination – 

?  Examines a structure’s fa?ade for cracks, defective joints, or chipped and crumbling concrete. 

?  Damage size & pattern

?  Mapping of Structural damage pattern on layout plans

?  Condition of Foundations

?  Check for Settlement at the bottom of Piers

The use of remote access techniques such as drones and ROVs will increase from general visual inspections to more in-depth techniques as technology improves and gets smaller.

Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things for Bridges

AI can augment all modes of transportation to materially impact safety for all types of travel. It can be used in structural health monitoring and infrastructure asset management, providing increased trust from the public and reducing costs of repairs and reconstruction.

AI and Cognitive sensor based architectural system integrated with IOT is composed of:

·        Few Photonic sensors installed based on bridge characteristics: -

o  Vibration and Deflection.

o  Weather and Pollution

o  Load and impact of speed of Vehicle.

o  Pressure on Piers

o  Recording of sound.

·        Images Processing,

·        Communication devices,

·        Dynamic Big Data that stores bridge condition data,

·        Cloud based server that calculates and analyzes data transmitted from the monitoring devices.

A complete array of data collecting 1000's data point per millisecond provides useful information to the stakeholders on real time basis. Bridge operators or civil engineering team will be able to use cloud based approach from any location to stay informed about the events related to bridge condition.  It will be simple for stakeholder to take corrective action quickly and effectively in the following order: -  

·        Once any parameter crossing threshold is earmarked by Photonic sensors with Geospatial information, Alarms signals can be set to inform the stakeholders of critical event. Individual can be assigned to gather visuals. Drone or ROV can be mobilized in case of inaccessible location.  

·        A Report on extent of Damage and need of maintenance, repairs or replacement will be advocated by Artificial intelligence platform. For ex. Determining whether there are deviations from the target load and thereby assess the maintenance requirements.

·        Cognitive and deep learning abilities will support decision making during uncertainties and develop an intelligent, self-learning scheme will be personalized for each individual bridge. 

Conclusion

Photonics, Image processing and IoT and AI are integral part of nervous system in monitoring bridge health and a way forward in predicting, preventing, protecting infrastructure. It is a paramount need to design and implement this system which will continuously monitor condition of bridges. It is useful for public safety and reduction in human losses. The system will help in disaster management and recovery. PHOTONIC sensing delivers reliable and robust STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING solution that determines & detects, distinguishes & discriminates, locates & resolves multiple threats in real time.