A GPR-based Void Detection Technology
Lotte Engineering & Construction (E&C) announced on Feb. 23 that it has acquired a patent on a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system that can detect voids inside a bridge. The company developed the new system through joint research with AI Bridge.
This technology detects voids inside ducts, which are used for installation of steel strands, by using an elastic wave detection device and artificial intelligence (AI).
engineers reinforce prestressed concrete (PSC) bridges by putting wire strands into ducts. They fill the ducts with grout in order to prevent the corrosion of the wire strands.
"This technology can find voids inside ducts of a PSC bridge with high probability," said an official at the Lotte E&C Technology Institute. "It is useful for building high-quality new bridges and maintaining and repairing existing bridges. We expect to achieve quality control at a higher level when constructing PSC bridges."