Technical Innovations

in Bridge Components

Bengal Club, November 17th, 2009

Technical Innovations - Bridge Components

INNOVATIONS

Destruction of Structures

Kobe Earthquake, Japan, 1995

NorthRidge Earthquake, USA, 1994

Chengdu Earthquake, China, 2008

Technical Innovations - Bridge Components

Seismic Activity Map

All over the world, bridges and buildings are being built in Seismic Active areas. These structures must be equipped with Modern Technology to protect the

Structures, and the people using them.

3 Swivel Joint Examples (Benicia Martinez, Palm Jumeirah, Rupsa)

Technical Innovations - Bridge Components

The Swivel Joint

TechStar developed a Swivel Joint in 2000, for Bridges being built in seismicZones.

Swivel technology allows transverse movement to occur incase the bridge faces an Earthquake.

Technical Innovations - Bridge Components

Transverse Movement Using Swivel Joint

Support Bar Pivots from a Fixed Position on One Side

Transverse Movement is Easily Provided

Technical Innovations - Bridge Components

The Hybrid Joint

A Hybrid Plate is welded or screwed onto the top of the expansion joint, resembling a ‘Finger Joint’ Appearance.

The Hybrid Plate helps reduce the noise made by cars passing over the joint.

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The Smart Joint

Expansion Joint

Internet

What is a Smart Joint?

TechStar’s ‘Smart joint’ is a modular expansion joint that uses a Wireless

Monitoring System to transmit important data from the installed joint to the

internet.

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How Does it Work?

Sensor Nodes are attached to Modular Expansion Joint

Transmits data wirelessly over the internet

Tracks how the Modular Expansion Joint is performing from your computer

Key Information

sms/mms

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Solar Panel Battery is connected to the Sensor Nodes. Renewable energy

is an important criteria due to the difficulty of replacing Lithium Batteries on

the jobsite.

How is it Powered?

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Displacement

(potentiometer)

Load Detection

(Limit switch)Tilt

Image (CMOS)

Sensor Modules

Different Sensor Modules are used to collect different types of data.

Frequency of data transmitted is completely up to the person Accessing the data, and as easy as clicking a mouse.(Dynamic or Static)

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Load Sensor

• The Load Sensor allows us to precisely measure the load force of the Expansion Joint.

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Results

Load Units in Voltage (V)

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Displacement Sensor

Measurement of the distance between center beams using Displacement Sensor

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Results

Displacement Units in Millimeters (mm)

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Tilt Sensor

Tilt Sensor helps measure the differential deflection of the two ends of the

expansion joint by measuring the Tilt Angle

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Results

Tilt Units in Degrees (Deg)

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Camera Sensor

Taking pictures if springs or bearings are damaged using Camera Sensor.

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Warning System

If any of the Sensor nodes detect data outside the ‘normal’ margin, a

warning email is instantly sent, informing the necessary persons about the

problem.

How does it Work?

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Monitoring System

Internet

Possibilities in the Future

Expansion Joint

FogWater Level

Quake Wind

Traffic

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DangJin Sapgyoho Bridge (South Korea) - Trial Example

• Monitoring a water level • CMOS Image Sensor

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Sensors for Other Bridge Components

Seismic Isolators (Shock Transmission Units)

Bearing Systems

Cable Systems

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Complete Bridge Monitoring Sensor

Measurement of acceleration of cables using Accelerometer. (Accelerometer)

Measurement of temperature using Temperature Sensor. (Temperature Sensor)

Measurement of wind direction and wind speed. (Wind Sensor)

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‘Super’ Joint

If you combine all 3 Innovations (Swivel, Hybrid and Smart), you have the mostModern Expansion Joint on today’s market. A joint that is simply Super…

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Cooperation of TechStar and Metco

In December 2008 Metco and TechStar sign a Cooperation Agreement at Metco’s Kolkata Office.

First export order for TechStar modular joints, manufactured at Metco, delivered on September 2009 for project in Yemen.

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TechStar Approved

TechStar’s Chief Engineer, Byron Brown, visited Metco’s workshop in Kolkata and approved the fabrication process for modular joints.

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THANK YOU!!!

Any Questions?

Technical Innovations - Bridge Components