Technology

Ready for take-off

Rapid developments in drone technology are expected to enable a wider range of applications in the bridge inspection field. Shekhar Scindia, David Day and Matt Bacon reveal the trials being conducted by a bridge owner in the USA

‘Bridge in a backpack’ passes highway load test

The University of Maine’s rapidly deployable bridge system has passed strength-testing to the US national standard for highway loading.

Span completed for Dutch 3D-printed bridge

Dutch company MX3D's robots have completed the 3D printing of the full span of a stainless steel footbridge.  

Biocomposite bridge construction to start next year

A new bridge made of biocomposites will be built on the Dutch cycle network in 2018

Ice interceptors

With a system of cable collars due to be installed on the cable stays of the Alex Fraser Bridge in Vancouver over the next few months, José María Sánchez de Muniáin examines the options available to bridge owners for ice accretion management.

Quake-resistant bridge design performs well in Nevada test

Five promising approaches to accelerated bridge construction (ABC) have performed well in a large-scale seismic test carried out at the University of Nevada in the USA.

New printed steel bridge design goes on public display

Redesigned printed steel bridge for Amsterdam due to be completed next year

Fujitsu develops new system for assessing bridge damage

Fujitsu has developed a system that it says is successful in estimating the degree of internal damage to bridges.

Taking flight

Improved seismic behaviour and faster construction were the goals for engineers designing and building the world’s first extradosed bridge with butterfly webs. Akio Kasuga reports

Oklahoma introduces new system for post-earthquake bridge inspections

The US state of Oklahoma is introducing a new system that will help bridge engineers carry out safety checks following an earthquake.

Fabrication of 3D-printed concrete bridge begins

Eindhoven University of Technology has begun ‘printing’ the concrete elements for a 3D-printed cycle bridge that will be built in the Netherlands.

Pairing off

Shallow water and a tight schedule were two of the factors that drove development of a new construction procedure for construction of marine viaducts in southeast Asia. Lee Kyoungjae reports

Interactive lighting unveiled on Montreal bridge

The inaugural light show has taken place on what is described as the “the world’s first connected bridge”.

Third international conference on timber bridges

Go-ahead given for floating bridge with tidal power plant

Indonesia has appointed a team to build a floating bridge incorporating what is said to be the world’s largest tidal power plant.

New type of polymer bridge launched

Arup and Mabey have introduced a new type of bridge made from post-tensioned polymer modules that can be assembled rapidly without the need for heavy equipment.

ASCE congress on technical advancement

International conference on structural engineering dynamics

Thinking sustainably

Research programme develops sustainable replacement for hardwood jacking supports.

Educational games to be created from Forth Bridge scans

Transport Scotland has announced that a series of highly details 3D scans of the Forth Bridge will form the basis for computer games aimed at promoting engineering skills for children.