An automated and continuous structural health monitoring system for the Sydney Harbour Bridge has been announced as a winner in this year’s Company/Group category State iAwards.

 

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) together with NICTA (National ICT Australia) developed the high-tech system to automatically and continuously monitor the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s structural integrity.

 

Awards in the tools and infrastructure and elogistics and supply chain categories were won for the innovation.

 

Light-weight sensor technology was developed to provide real-time monitoring of the bridge’s structural health and the safety of its concrete deck. Using innovative algorithms and simple components the system can detect movements in the concrete deck which are considered to be abnormal, while ignoring normal movements due to vehicle traffic.

 

The concept was developed by RMS’ Peter Mann who is the Asset Manager of Strategic Infrastructure and the system was developed by a technology team led by NICTA’s Dr Athanassis Boulis.

 

“The trial is progressing well and RMS is planning to expand deployment of the system, which is proving practical and cost effective,” said Rob Fitzpatrick, Director of NICTA’s Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics Business Team.