EverScan for cable-stayed and prestressed structures

The EverScan range includes innovative inspection tools to assess structural pathologies and help predict the residual life of cable-stayed and prestressed structures.

Our solutions provide stress and strain measurement and detect hidden defects, such as age-related corrosion and other failures, before they become visible.

Our solutions for assessing hidden defects and signs of premature structural ageing

Escan

Void and white paste detection in cement grouted external cables and external prestressing ducts :

External prestressing cable are only connected to the structure at their extremities. A failure in their free length significantly weaken the structure as the cable loses all its reinforcement capacity which is not hold back by friction.
Escan, developed in partnership with UGE, University Gustave Eiffel, allows to detect along the cable the defects that highlight the risks of failure. It allows to anticipate maintenance and then ensure performance and durability of the infrastructure.

Uscan

Health qualification of tensioned cables by ultrasonic measurement of each constitutive wires :

Uscan allows to qualify the health of tensioned cables at their anchorage zone by individual ultrasonic measurement of each constitutive wires. Stay Cables and post tensioning cables are critical components for resistance and safety of infrastructures. They are protected against corrosion. However, in some cases, corrosion can ingress in anchorage then the state of the tendons is then unknown until it is too late.
Uscan, developed in partnership with UGE, is the only technology that allows to know the state of the strands in the anchorage inaccessible area. The guided wave sent from the tip of each wires allow to map the general condition of the cable at anchorage zone.

Our solutions for measuring loads and stresses in cable-stayed and prestressed structures

Slotstress

Measurement of the effective residual stress in a concrete structure :

Slotstress allows to understand the load distribution in the infrastructure and verify their acceptability with regards to the resistance of the material or the anticipated increase of loading in the long term. During its lifetime, the load distribution inside a structure can change due to external actions, or a slow deterioration of the structure. At some stage, the loads become incompatible with the safety of the structure and its users.
Slotstress allows engineers to setup an optimised maintenance strategy and asset reinforcement.

Upus®

Load measurement in pre-stressing bars and bolts :

Upus® allows to verify the acceptance of structural reinforcement or assembly brough by prestressing bars. Pre-stressing by bars or rods is used intensively to assemble elements, and to provide structural resistance. The loosening or releasing of forces in these bars can initiate critical structural hazards, therefore it is necessary to verify periodically the acceptability of the forces applied.
The Upus® technique uses ultrasonic wave propagation to measure the force in bars. An ultrasonic sensor/receiver is attached or applied at one end of the bar. The Upus® measurement is done from one end of the bar, and therefore can be applied to bars with only one accessible end.

Vibration analysis

Analysis of the vibratory behaviour of cables in order to assess their loads and damping capacity :

Applied to cables, the method allows tension measurement of stay cables, hanger cables and external prestressing tendons and damping measurement of cables. Tension and damping characteristics of cables are two important parameters of cable supported structures. This information should be known during construction and rehabilitation works of the structures but also during its lifetime in order to assure the correct functioning of the structure and its safety.
The method is particularity interesting when load measurement is not possible by weighting at cable anchorage.

Modal analysis

Analysis of the vibratory behaviour of a structure in order to assess its health by the variation of its eigenfrequencies :

Applied on structures, the method allows to measure the eigenfrequency and observe their deviation from theoretical or the initial at construction stage. This change reveals the presence of defect, damages or ageing. Induced or natural vibration of the structure triggers a network of accelerometer located at specific point on the structure.
The method is particularly efficient to verify the general state of prestressed, tall or complex structures (loss of prestressing, pylons, towers, buildings).

Why choose our SHM solutions?

Our solutions facilitate proactive decision-making so that you can:

View the status of your structures in real time
Predict and optimise maintenance needs
Ensure user safety
Extend the operating service life of your structures