This budding bridge inspection company developed a technology that inspects bridges for microscopic cracks and fatigue with their EFS system. Last year they effectively inspected nine bridges in the Pennsylvania area. They conducted them as part of an effort to determine existing cracks and needed repair. Its system helped the state identify the cracks that needed attention and ones that did not, which efficiently allocate the state resources.
Electrochemical Fatigue Sensor or (EMS) was used to inspect the cracks in the bridges. When the EMS is used, it can detect if there are actively growing fatigue cracks in the metal structure. The process begins with placing the EMS on a fatigue sensitive area of the Metal structure. An electrolyte is injected and a small current is run through the system. The EMS then monitors any changes in the electrical current. The machine then computes the level of stress, how bad the crack is, and if repair is needed. One of the major advantages of this product is its ability to detect cracks that the human eye cannot.
What makes the EMS system so beneficial is its ability to identify potentially dangerous cracks and those that do not pose a threat. The technology is also used retroactively to monitor repairs done. It identifies the repairs that need additional attention and those that are no longer growing.
The CEO Robert Bernstein stated, “Being able to prioritize repairs to these bridges is an invaluable result of the EFS inspection. In addition, by being able to immediately verify the effectiveness of repairs, we help to eliminate the ‘wait and see’ method. This kind of objective information allows bridge owners to sleep at night.”
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