An AI tool designed to keep bridges in operation for longer has been developed by ETH Zurich researchers.
The team developed a model for railway bridges made of reinforced concrete – which are particularly common in Switzerland – that provides an initial assessment of structural safety. They also developed an AI assistant that helps engineers to design new bridges.
The average lifespan of a bridge is typically considered to be around 75-100 years depending on the materials used and the amount of traffic, although this can be extended through careful maintenance.
“Switzerland is facing a situation in which a considerable proportion of its infrastructure is nearing the end of its planned service life and must be inspected and strengthened if necessary,” said doctoral researcher Sophia Kuhn. “We’re developing a tool that helps to keep bridges in operation for as long as possible and therefore [conserves] resources without running a disproportionate risk of accident.”
The AI model is able to...