An English programme researching non-destructive testing (NDT) announced some of its findings to industry delegates last week.
The Structures’ Moonshot Project, initiated by England’s roads agency National Highways and led by AtkinsRéalis and Jacobs analysed highway structures with hidden critical components. Structures in this class, which includes post-tensioned bridges, are typically difficult and expensive to inspect. NDT methods can reduce the need for road closures through techniques such as digital twins and muon tomography.
Researchers conducted tests on full-scale mock-ups of bridge sections, as well as on decommissioned bridges. The next phase will deploy NDT on operational structures.
The project also aims to raise awareness of the whole spectrum of NDT technologies.
