Scientists from Kazakhstan announced a major step forward in the field of engineering control by introducing unique mobile system for express monitoring of bridge structures. The new technology will be an important tool in improving the efficiency, quality and speed of bridge diagnostics.

"Currently, the survey of bridge structures includes both field work and desktop data processing, which in total takes about a week. However, with the use of mobile monitoring systems, this time will be reduced by half,” said Nurlan Smailov, Vice President of JSC KazdorNII.

The express monitoring system is equipped with a complex of modern high-tech sensors that can measure linear movements, deformations, vibration accelerations, acoustic emission activity, as well as pressure in the associated parts of bridge structures.

"The special feature of this new technology is that measurements can be made even while traffic is traveling over the bridge. This is especially important, as many defects in structural elements become visible only under a load,"says Kaisar Shalkar, Head of the Department of Bridge Structures of JSC ‘KazdorNII’.

The introduction of mobile monitoring systems will allow to identify potential challenges more quickly and take measures to eliminate them, which will ultimately improve the safety and reliability of bridge structures.

The data that specialists will receive using the express monitoring system will be automatically pulled into the Bridge Operation Management System developed by the Institute. The SUEM will store 3D models of existing bridge structures in Kazakhstan and an extensive set of data on each object: information on the last survey, geodetic survey results, passport data, design documentation, executive documentation on repairs performed, etc. The integrated approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the condition and operational history of each bridge.