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

  • Exodigo digs deep in Tel Aviv
    January 31, 2023
    When a large sinkhole opened up on a busy highway in Tel Aviv, Israel, city transport authorities called in the underground mapping experts from Exodigo.
    Read More
  • Digital transformation is delivering digital adoption
    August 15, 2023
    Digital transformation is key for transportation agencies and their partners to do their jobs better and faster. One way to do this is through digital delivery using digital models, data, and supporting field tools for roadway design, structures design, and construction, say the tech experts at Bentley Systems.
    Read More
  • Brisbane’s Airport: Innovative Management of One of the World’s Busiest Runways
    June 26, 2014
    When it comes to runways, there are few busier then Brisbane’s main runway. Servicing both domestic and international travel, with over 200,000 movements per year, operating without a curfew Brisbane’s main runway is the busiest in Australia. For maintenance, crews only have a limited period of time to determine the pavement condition, normally during the night, making the detection of pavement faults difficult. To resolve this issue, a new high speed pavement scanner was used to rapidly survey the pavem
    Read More
  • NDT sensor fusion in structural pavement condition surveys
    February 27, 2017
    Early detection of pavement defects and the causes of deterioration is essential for effective maintenance planning, writes Dr Alena Uus* There is a need for optimisation and development of UK highway survey methods that would provide comprehensive information on the surface and subsurface pavement condition and operate at traffic speed, which eliminates the requirement for lane closures. Performance of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods commonly employed in pavement condition surveys can be potent
    Read More

Highlighted Content