Imprimir Republish

Engineering

Cell phones and bridge health

The Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the city of San Francisco to Marin County, California

Wikimedia Commons

A new risk analysis method promises to add 15 years to the lifespan of newly built bridges, which would represent a 30% increase. A group led by Thomas Matarazzo, an engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, in collaboration with scients from Italy, used smartphone data from motorists driving over bridges to estimate their structural health. The most important measurement is taken using the accelerometer, a device embedded in cell phones that can detect vibrations. Certain vibration frequencies created by moving vehicles cause wear and tear on bridge materials over time and can lead to cracks. The information can be used to identify when preventive maintenance is required, increasing a bridge’s lifespan. Matarazzo and his colleagues tested the technique on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA. Volunteers made 72 Uber trips with their GPS turned on. In total, 19 smartphone models were tested. The process was repeated on a concrete bridge in Rome, Italy (Communications Engineering, November 3). The method could potentially extend the lifespan of a 43-year-old bridge by 15% and reduce the demand for expensive sensors and visual inspections by engineers.

Republish