Automated condition assessment of
SAN REMO BRIDGE
Victoria DTP | Victoria, AU
The San Remo Bridge, linking Phillip Island to the mainland, is crucial for transportation, tourism, and business. Its upkeep is vital for the surrounding communities. Limited accessibility, safety risks, and traffic closures make traditional inspections challenging. The bridge is owned and maintained by Victoria Department of Transport & Planning.
The Problem
The ongoing preservation and functionality of the San Remo Bridge is critical for the surrounding communities. Limited accessibility, height-related safety risks, water navigation challenges, and extended traffic closures make inspecting and maintaining the bridge difficult.
The VictoriaDTP decided to go with advanced and automated inspection methods to ensure a reliable and effective regime, vital for the safety and longevity of the San Remo bridge.
The Solution
Niricson, in collaboration with Arcadis, utilized Bridge Health to conduct a proof of concept for the San Remo Bridge inspection using automated technologies including drones, AI and machine learning. By employing DRONIC™ (patented multi-layered data collection and fusion architecture, along with a proprietary drone-equipped concrete sounding hammer) and AUTOSPEX™ (patent pending AI-backed platform for defect detection, quantification, and tracking for digital infrastructure condition assessment) technologies, they were able to perform a detailed and efficient assessment reducing the risk of missing critical defects and minimising disruption to residents and travellers. These technologies, including a drone-equipped concrete sounding hammer NCX and an AI-backed defect detection platform, collected optical imagery and acoustic sound data.
The team mapped defects like cracking, spalling and delamination on the bridge’s key components, providing efficient and detailed coverage. Niricson’s UAV-sounding mechanism enhanced drafting efficiency, reduced documentation time, and eliminated condition uncertainties, mitigating asset risk.
Niricson’s technology revolutionizes bridge inspections, offering unparalleled access, efficiency, and safety. By utilizing this technology VictoriaDTP successfully managed to:
- Obtain access to hard-to-reach areas, enhancing assessment precision.
- Reduced carbon emissions and waste, along with minimized traffic interruptions.
- Gain ffficient coverage leads to significant time and labor savings.
- An AI-driven analysis, enabling early defect detection, averting major issues and long-term repair costs.
- Continuous data collection and monitoring facilitate deeper structural understanding, informing maintenance and future design decisions.
Bridge Health not only ensures the safety and longevity of bridges like San Remo but also supports local economies by maintaining uninterrupted trade and tourism flow. These technologies herald a new era in infrastructure management, promising both immediate and long-term benefits.
The solutions provided by Arcadis – in partnership with Niricson’s predictive analytics platform – give whole lifecycle bridge support and a non-intrusive way to inspect and monitor concrete bridges that can significantly extend their lifespan. These efficiencies will save large amounts of CO2 as well as CapEx, while making sure that risks to the public and bridge owners are reduced.
