Mondaic Tests Bridges With Wave Physics

(CONNECT) Mondaic AG, based in Zurich, has entered into a joint project with the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). The company, a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH), wants to test the stability and structure of bridges using software developed on the basis of wave physics, according to a press release from ETH.

With this technology, waves are emitted from an ultrasound device against the structure to be examined. A kind of seismometer on the opposite side receives the incoming waves. Deviations are recorded in comparison with an existing model and thus structural changes are identified. The existing model is a digital twin of the object under investigation, the bridges, whose wave image is based on an intact structure. If the wave patterns deviate from each other, this allows conclusions to be drawn that there must be cracks in the structure and where these are located.

The software and seismometer were developed at ETH and used for NASA's InSight mission to identify the structure of Mars. "What enabled us to look inside Mars in 2018 is now helping us to look inside bridges, aircraft parts or other materials without having to cut or drill into them," Christian Boehm, co-developer and now Managing Director of Mondaic, is quoted as saying in the press release.

Mondaic offers both software and complete solutions for testing - including sensor technology, cloud solutions and consulting. This means that users without specialist knowledge of wave physics can also use the technology. ce/ww