Anti-collapse technology

After five years since the collapse of the bridge in Minneapolis, authorities have applied wireless sensor technology to prevent disaster once again.

On August 1, 2007, the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed, pulling more than 100 vehicles into the Mississippi River, killing 13 and injuring 145.

The terrible disaster at the I-35W bridge five years ago

In the wake of the catastrophic event, engineers at the University of Maryland have created a new generation of wireless sensors that can prevent collapse, by closely monitoring 150,000 bridges on the highway in the United States have been classified as problematic structures or have expired.

According to a University of Maryland press release, the wireless sensor system is very durable, runs low on power, and the included software is capable of analyzing data transmitted from the field.

Many bridges, including the ones that have been replaced in Minneapolis, are fitted with wire sensors to detect malfunctions, but these systems are often too expensive to be installed on any bridges inside. dangerous list.

The new system can measure important signs such as tension, vibration, deformation, pressure, tilt, chilliness, humidity and temperature at a lower cost than the current technology, according to experts from the University of Maryland.