Concrete: Traffic jams alone are estimated to cost the average driver $1,400 in fuel and travel time, a national tally of more than $160 billion annually. The new system monitors the condition of roads and bridges on its own quickly and accurately and can sometimes even repair itself. However, the life of the facility can be extended if the damage is monitored in real time and repaired in advance. In the northern United States, for example, the freeze-thaw cycle in winter causes water to seep onto pavement where it freezes, expands, and widens cracks, which can cause significant damage.
At the Purdue SMART Lab, our team also tested new sensors that monitor transportation infrastructure by integrating them into several Indiana interstate highways. We plan to expand to other state highway systems in the coming years with the aim of better accommodating increased traffic and providing accurate estimates of road conditions during construction and service life. Sensors embedded in the concrete pavement obtain information about the health of the infrastructure in real time and communicate the data to a computer. This allows transportation engineers to make effective, data-driven decisions from road clearing to traffic and proactively identify issues that cause damage or deterioration.
Enhancing Highway Pavement Longevity with Intelligent Concrete Sensors
After concrete is poured for highway pavement, for example, it can take hours to harden and become strong enough to be opened to traffic. If the road is opened too early and the concrete is not treated properly, it can reduce the life expectancy of the pavement and increase maintenance costs. Intelligent sensors embedded in the concrete allow engineers to monitor infrastructure and make data-driven decisions about when roads can open while maintaining maximum life expectancy. Sensors can also help monitor the quality of the concrete and whether the concrete is strong enough to withstand traffic flow and corrosion once the road is opened.
Intelligent and efficient infrastructure can significantly reduce structural failures, both catastrophic and due to normal wear and tear, as well as reduce costs and provide structural engineers with a new way to evaluate real-time information about floors. Intelligent sensors and intelligent infrastructure systems can save significant time and money with increased construction safety. Sensors can provide engineers with real-time data about the quality of our infrastructure to make the best decisions for the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges and sidewalks, increasing safety for drivers and construction workers.
References:
Lu, L. and Saravade, V. (n.d.). Smart concrete could pave the way for high-tech, cost-effective roads. [online] The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/smart-concrete-could-pave-the-way-for-high-tech-cost-effective-roads-141350 [Accessed 22 Oct. 2021].
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