Nuclear technology can provide structural assessments

Technology developed for the nuclear industry can provide structural assessments.
By MJ Woof March 7, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
An innovative technology from Estonian firm GScan can be used to assess the integrity of structures such as London’s troubled Hammersmith Bridge for example – image courtesy of © William Barton|Dreamstime.com


An innovative technology developed for the nuclear industry can be used to assess the structural conditions of tunnels and bridges. Deep-tech company GScan uses cosmic rays combined with AI/ML to provide precise assessments of the structural integrity and chemical composition of infrastructure, ensuring ongoing safety and longevity.  

Decay, cracks and corrosion can compromise the structural integrity of transport systems, risking public safety. A pilot project on a nuclear reactor scanning proved this innovative technology for use on a broad range of engineering applications.

The firm can deliver infrastructure assessments for assets like bridges and tunnels. The company will conclude a project with National Highways, scanning for steel components in a post-tensioned concrete bridge next month. 
The Estonian deep tech GScan uses  muon flux scanning and this technology has the capability to penetrate over 1m of concrete and imaging steel, allowing non-invasive assessments across various industries.

GScan uses naturally occurring cosmic rays known as muons to ‘reveal’ items that may be hidden within tens of metres of a structure. Around 10,000 muons/m2 pass harmlessly through individuals, buildings and structures every minute, changing direction and speed based on the chemical composition of the objects they encounter. GScan’s scanners detect changes to the flow of muons (muon flux); it then uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse this information, creating 3D models of the structure accurate to 1cm.

Muon flux scanning shows significant promise in industries where traditional assessment methods fall short due to extreme conditions or access limitations. “GScan’s technology isn’t just a tool for decommissioning plants; it can be used to optimise the ongoing maintenance of facilities in challenging or difficult-to-access environments. Our method allows for a detailed and non-invasive analysis of almost any structure, helping to identify degradation and structural weaknesses before they become critical,” added Andi Hektor.
 

Road Structures

Related Content

  • Towards an EU framework for the security of widezones: research project “ZONeSEC”
    June 8, 2015
    The security and safety of the EU’s key infrastructure is a major issue and requires Pan-European agreement Critical infrastructure, such as highways, energy lines or pipelines, may spread over large areas covering wide geographic zones. There is clearly a need to provide proper security for such infrastructure against illicit actions and against incidents that may escalate to crises. As a result, developing 24/7 surveillance systems for the security of Wide Zones (with multiple assets at localised scale
    Read More
  • Steel for Loch Ba bridge
    February 6, 2012
    Allerton Steel, on behalf of R J McLeod, has fabricated the steelwork for a replacement bridge at Loch Ba on Rannoch Moor in the Highlands as part of its A82 upgrade scheme for Transport Scotland. R J McLeod is the civil contractor on the £2.2 million (E2.6 million) scheme which replaces the existing three-span reinforced concrete bridge.
    Read More
  • Giving four hours back to the day… and much more
    October 7, 2019
    A 20km long elevated expressway in Dhaka will be one of Bangladesh’s first Public Private Partnership transport projects – words and pictures by Ruby Kitching, on behalf of Mott MacDonald.
    Read More
  • MOBA’s new PAVE-IR system features a high-speed temperature scanner to enhance road construction quality
    January 6, 2017
    MOBA has developed a new temperature scanner system called the PAVE-IR, designed to help operators avoid laying incorrectly heated asphalt. From mixing plant to compaction, getting the temperature of asphalt right is critical. Cold asphalt can lead to road damage, which results in additional costs of up to 46% due shorter surface lifetimes. The new MOBA PAVE-IR aims for an optimum asphalt material mix and the best possible process flow says the manufacturer.
    Read More

Highlighted Content