PRESS RELEASE
OSMOS GROUP and KISR implement an innovative solution for structural health monitoring and weigh-in-motion on PART’s Cairo Bridge in Kuwait
The Kuwait Public Authority for Roads & Transportation (PART) is conducting an important construction project on a Bridge supporting the Istiqlal Street over the Cairo Street in the city of Hawally.
These works consist in excavating two underpasses below the bridge, 10 meters below the original level, constructing retaining walls on both sides and near the bridge piles, reinforcing the piles with a structural support system, raising temporarily the deck of the bridge and replacing its bearing devices.
The bridge is 74 m long, on 2 spans. The deck is composed of Post-tension concrete box girders. It is part of one of the main traffic axes in the State of Kuwait, and must remain open at all times, in spite of the invasive nature of the works around.
PART has decided to implement a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system on this bridge in order to confirm that the structure of the bridge will not be affected by the construction works and to keep the bridge open to traffic with full safety for the users.
PART has entrusted the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and OSMOS Group to perform the SHM of this bridge during the construction works.
The project is an integral part of an Agreement signed in 2019 between OSMOS and KISR for the collaborative research entitled “Real Time Structural Monitoring and Infrastructure”. Dr Jafarali Parol is the Project leader from KISR and coordinating the collaboration from Kuwait.
KISR and OSMOS have installed a set of 20 sensors called Optical StrandsTM, long-basis optical fiber deformation sensors which already equip hundreds of structures in the world. The Optical Strands measure strain variations on critical parts of the bridge and provide:
- A confirmation of the correct structural behavior of the bridge
- An early information in case of behavior modifications
- An evaluation of the criticality of this modification
The instrumentation is completed by 4 accelerometers, for the vibration analysis of the deck and the determination of its dynamic characteristics.
The measurements are recorded by the sensors, transmitted to Expert Data Acquisition System Monitoring (EDAS) Stations, and from there to the OSMOS Cloud and analyzed by the OSMOS Software suite SAFE Works, permanently and continuously. The different stakeholders of this project (Client, contractor, etc.) are immediately informed in case of structural behavior modifications.
The data also provide a complete information concerning the traffic on the bridge, through the Weigh-In-Motion and Deformations (WiM+DTM) module implemented for this project. The same Optical Strands will also define the Gross Weight and the speed for all notable vehicles passing on the bridge.
The SHM system has been installed in October 2020. Since then, the results have shown that the construction works have not caused any structural damages on the bridge, with records of deformations of small amplitudes only and complete reversibility.
The contractor is able to continue the works without structural hazard, delay, with safety for the bridge users and by keeping the timetable.
H.E. Ambassador of France, Mrs. Anne-Claire Legendre
“Successful stories of French Technology are not only those of multinational corporations. Smart SMEs such as OSMOS Group have been able to gain a worldwide footprint thanks to innovative solutions. OSMOS Solutions are remarkable because they have a clearly useful interest to public operators.”
Mr. Patrice Pelletier, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, OSMOS Group SA
“The Bridge 30 project is assuredly challenging, where the client has multiple objectives and responsibilities: Safety for everyone, Adherence to the construction schedule, and Respect of the project costs. OSMOS offers a smart suite of solutions for infrastructure owners and operators to face these challenges with success. Not only state-of-the art technologies are deployed for this project but also our latest series of algorithms to carry massive data analysis and interpretation.”
Dr. Hasan Ali Kamal, Member of Municipal Council, Kuwait
KISR and our research group is carrying out an applied research in the state-of-art Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technology. The method to be implemented in the iconic civil infrastructures in Kuwait and elsewhere in the world. This is a combined technology that uses advancements in sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and IOT to assess structural performance, to ensure structural safety, and to provide maintenance strategies. This project is one of the vital steps to transform the bridges in Kuwait into a “smart bridge” and to reduce the life cycle cost of bridge systems.
Dr. Shaikha Al-Sanad, Program Manager, KISR
This collaborative project is the first and necessary step towards smart sustainable cities that use information and communication technology and other means to improve the efficiency of operation, maintenance and related services while ensuring that the needs of the economic and environmental aspects are met. Accordingly, the Structural health monitoring (SHM) has the potential to transform the bridge engineering industry by providing stakeholders with additional information to inform decisions about the design, operation, and management of bridges throughout the structures’ lifespans.
General view of the Bridge before the works
View of the bridge once the new lanes are excavated
Four Optical Strand sensors installed below the bridge deck
Example of deformations recorded by Optical Strands after the passage of a heavy truck: Limited strain amplitude and reversibility
About OSMOS
OSMOS is a subsidiary of EREN Group, the first group dedicated to the economy of natural resources founded in 2012 by Pâris Mouratoglou and David Corchia.
Established in 2006, OSMOS is a recognized specialist in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). It offers a wide range of solutions in monitoring structural assets of the building, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
OSMOS designs and manufactures innovative sensor systems based on a unique optical-fiber technology, the Optical Strand®. This technology allows the monitoring, the detection and the measurement of deformations and potential weaknesses of various types of buildings, infrastructures, and industrial equipment. OSMOS also develops with engineers, mathematicians and data scientists its proprietary algorithms for data analysis and interpretation. OSMOS’ suite of software, SAFE Works® and SAFE Analyser®, allow its customers and engineers to visualize, analyze and interpret the deformations of infrastructures. OSMOS latest WiM+DTM and SAFE Traffic® software development combined with the Optical Strands® sensors provide both structural health monitoring of bridges and overpasses and weigh-in-motion (WIM).
OSMOS structural health monitoring solutions have already been implemented with customers of the public and private sectors in more than 20 countries worldwide.
Media contact
OSMOS Group SA / Johanna JOUBERTEIX
Tel: +33 (0) 1 71 39 85 15
E-mail: jouberteix@osmos-group.com