Project ConScope - Continuous monitoring as a standard to extend service life of infrastructure

27/12/2024

• Challenge
• Objective
• Methods
• Partners

German infrastructure, especially its bridges, requires renewal but cannot be replaced within a few years. Structures must therefore be used for a longer period. Our monitoring system based on CWI is intended to contribute to this. By detecting changes in the structure and damage at an early stage, it enables predictive maintenance management. In the project, we will develop our technology into a market-ready product.

The aim of the project is to develop a continuous monitoring system for concrete bridges and engineering structures based on CWI. This system is intended to detect changes and damage in the structure at an early stage to enable predictive maintenance management of the structures. Specifically, a product is being developed (measuring device, sensors, software) and a start-up founded to bring this product to the market.

In our monitoring system, ultrasound sensors capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound are embedded into the concrete of the structures. The ultrasound signal scattered in the concrete is analysed. Comparing these signals allows conclusions about changes in the analysed component. By focusing on the scattered, later part of the ultrasound signals, the coda, even very small changes can be detected.

Funding

EXIST Transfer of Research (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action)

Over 50% of bridges on federal highways no longer meet current load requirements and need to be modernized. Not all bridges can be renewed within a few years. Therefore, many bridges must be used for longer periods. The demand for monitoring systems is correspondingly high to create a data basis that improves the maintenance management of bridges. Typically, monitoring systems today are mostly used for specific damage monitoring, and the generated data is sometimes not sufficiently evaluated. We want to change this:

We want to develop a monitoring system based on coda wave interferometry (CWI) that:

• is cost-effective, extensive, and can be used over many years.
• detects changes in the building substance or continuous degradation at an early stage.
• is not only sold as hardware but as a complete package: hardware, data acquisition, and automated data analysis.

In the project, our hardware will be further developed and fully optimized for CWI (sensors, measuring device, data transmission, etc.). Our prototypes will be tested in at least two new pilot projects under real conditions. Likewise, we will further develop data analysis with laboratory tests. The founding of a company to introduce the technology to the market is also planned during the project period.

Funding

The ‘ConScope’ project (official EXIST project name ‘CoMMoD’) is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the European Social Fund as part of the EXIST programme.

Contact

Niklas Epple
Phone: +49 30 8104 4474
Email: niklas.epple@bam.de
Project email: conscope@bam.de