February 16, 2017
With limited funding available to design, build, and maintain bridges, the more information on how they will withstand the test of time, the better. Enter the Bridge Evaluation and Accelerated Structural Testing Laboratory (BEAST), created by the Rutgers University Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation. The first of its kind, the BEAST acts as a......
February 16, 2017
Being able to identify which pipe is about to burst would lessen headaches and save money, but there is no easy way to predict which pipe is in most need of replacement. The City of Syracuse “Innovation Team” (i-Team) found a technology-based solution: magnetic sensors on water mains. Launched as a pilot program in the......
Acoustic Look at Underwater Infrastructure
February 16, 2017
Until recently, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) faced costly and dangerous challenges when inspecting the condition of underwater infrastructure. Today, that task is carried out using high-resolution acoustic imaging cameras and innovative imaging software. Acoustic imaging cameras are deployed using a variety of methods to conduct life cycle analysis and visualize the......
February 16, 2017
In 2014, over one-third of all train derailments were the result of damaged rails, leading to millions of dollars in damages and dozens of injuries. In many cases, expansive rail lines run through isolated areas that are difficult and expensive for inspectors to access, but early detection of damaged track is critical to preventing costly......
February 16, 2017
Plagued by chronic flooding, the town of Midlothian, Illinois lacks the financial resources necessary to provide comprehensive flood protection and mitigation. The Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) stepped in to develop a multi-pronged flood plan called RainReady Midlothian, with additional help from partners including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water......
Flood Planning Never Looked So Green
February 16, 2017
After a historic flood put 5,000 homes, 900 businesses, and 300 public buildings under water, it was clear Cedar Rapids needed a new flood plan. To prepare for the next time the waters rise, the city held neighborhood meetings to develop a Flood Control System Master Plan identifying projects on both sides of the Cedar......
Software Pinpoints Vulnerabilities on Overhead Lines
February 16, 2017
In the energy sector, engineering and construction software for overhead power lines is rapidly changing that industry. It is estimated that software is now used on 80 percent of transmission line projects greater than 100kV in the United States. New lines can be routed and designed in the most efficient way which minimizes not only......
Have Energy Spares, Will Travel
February 16, 2017
Power transformers play a critical role in the U.S. electric power transmission and distribution system, acting as the off-ramps for power coming off the high voltage transmission lines down to the substations that distribute it. This is why power transformers are a critical part of any spares strategy. An emergency spare transformer program can provide......
February 16, 2017
Energy efficiency improvements are being implemented at airport facilities across the country because of a high return on investment. The centerpiece of the Portland International Jetport’s $75 million terminal expansion project was the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system that reduces operating costs and emissions. A creative first in the airport industry, the......
February 16, 2017
Hydroelectric power dams provide renewable energy, but monitoring the condition of the infrastructure is a challenge. A key part of the inspections is managing corrosion in the penstocks—large, sewer-like tubes that move water from its original source to the turbine that generates power. Inspecting them traditionally includes dewatering the dam, then working in dark, slippery......
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