1
00:00:00,995 --> 00:00:03,745
(logo whooshing)

2
00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:11,340
- [Narrator] The Texas
Department of Transportation

3
00:00:11,340 --> 00:00:14,130
is implementing new, more cost effective

4
00:00:14,130 --> 00:00:16,980
and accurate technology
that helps engineers

5
00:00:16,980 --> 00:00:18,840
maintain and rehabilitate

6
00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,630
the state's large network of bridges.

7
00:00:21,630 --> 00:00:24,960
This award-winning digital
image correlation system

8
00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:26,430
developed by researchers

9
00:00:26,430 --> 00:00:29,160
at the University of Texas at San Antonio

10
00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:31,770
uses high resolution sensitive cameras

11
00:00:31,770 --> 00:00:34,110
and specialized software to determine

12
00:00:34,110 --> 00:00:35,820
the condition of bridges.

13
00:00:35,820 --> 00:00:37,320
The implementation team,

14
00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:40,140
trained TxDOT bridge inspection personnel

15
00:00:40,140 --> 00:00:44,250
and conducted testing on 10
bridges across the state.

16
00:00:44,250 --> 00:00:47,220
- The main objective of
the implementation project

17
00:00:47,220 --> 00:00:49,890
was to train different divisions in TxDOT

18
00:00:49,890 --> 00:00:52,830
on using the digital
image correlation system

19
00:00:52,830 --> 00:00:56,250
that we provided to them as
part of the research project.

20
00:00:56,250 --> 00:00:58,650
Also, all the while,
as we're training them,

21
00:00:58,650 --> 00:01:01,560
we also wanted to collect
some data on bridges

22
00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:05,040
that are actually requiring
intervention or load posting

23
00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:07,830
that are showing that they
cannot handle the big truckloads,

24
00:01:07,830 --> 00:01:08,910
the modern truckloads.

25
00:01:08,910 --> 00:01:12,870
- This is a useful additional
tool in the toolbox for us,

26
00:01:12,870 --> 00:01:16,110
especially when it comes
to load testing of bridges.

27
00:01:16,110 --> 00:01:17,820
If all we need is deflection,

28
00:01:17,820 --> 00:01:19,800
we can do it in-house right now.

29
00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,890
However, if we needed strain information,

30
00:01:22,890 --> 00:01:24,390
we relied on consultant.

31
00:01:24,390 --> 00:01:26,370
Now that we have this system,

32
00:01:26,370 --> 00:01:28,760
we will be able to do it in-house.

33
00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,320
Future load testings, for the most part,

34
00:01:31,320 --> 00:01:33,150
I see them being done in-house.

35
00:01:33,150 --> 00:01:36,570
- In terms of efficiency, we
did three bridges in one day,

36
00:01:36,570 --> 00:01:38,520
so that was our record.

37
00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:41,220
So if you contrast that
with traditional instruments

38
00:01:41,220 --> 00:01:43,680
where we had to put scaffolding
to get up to the bridge

39
00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:45,900
and attach instruments
and wire everything,

40
00:01:45,900 --> 00:01:50,250
and it took several days to
week at least to do a bridge.

41
00:01:50,250 --> 00:01:52,110
We did actually three bridges in one day.

42
00:01:52,110 --> 00:01:55,500
So that was, I think,
one of the highlights

43
00:01:55,500 --> 00:01:57,930
of the implementation project.

44
00:01:57,930 --> 00:01:59,580
- The researchers had provided

45
00:01:59,580 --> 00:02:02,910
all the necessary tools
to TxDOT personnel.

46
00:02:02,910 --> 00:02:06,360
You don't have to go through
processing a contract,

47
00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:07,710
work authorization.

48
00:02:07,710 --> 00:02:09,450
If you have the instrument at hand,

49
00:02:09,450 --> 00:02:11,970
you can go out and make
some measurements yourself

50
00:02:11,970 --> 00:02:14,880
and quickly you can
determine whether or not

51
00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:16,980
your bridge have the
capacity that you wanted.

52
00:02:16,980 --> 00:02:18,240
- We've seen in the past

53
00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:20,460
and within the implementation project

54
00:02:20,460 --> 00:02:22,590
that we can remove load postings by being

55
00:02:22,590 --> 00:02:24,510
more accurate in the numbers,

56
00:02:24,510 --> 00:02:29,130
and so that improves traffic
flows and freight specifically

57
00:02:29,130 --> 00:02:30,150
across the state of Texas.

58
00:02:30,150 --> 00:02:31,590
So it's a very big benefit.

59
00:02:31,590 --> 00:02:34,020
So trucks don't have to be
rerouted around these bridges

60
00:02:34,020 --> 00:02:35,550
so they can go over them.

61
00:02:35,550 --> 00:02:36,930
Also, there's cost savings

62
00:02:36,930 --> 00:02:38,790
because we don't have to retrofit them,

63
00:02:38,790 --> 00:02:40,890
so that a lot of bridges we
don't even have to touch.

64
00:02:40,890 --> 00:02:44,017
We just by refining our
calculations, we can say,

65
00:02:44,017 --> 00:02:46,050
"Oh, well they can handle those trucks"

66
00:02:46,050 --> 00:02:47,490
and so we don't have
to touch them anymore.

67
00:02:47,490 --> 00:02:50,610
So it is a big cost
savings and much better

68
00:02:50,610 --> 00:02:52,530
flow of traffic for Texas.

69
00:02:52,530 --> 00:02:53,730
- [Narrator] For more information

70
00:02:53,730 --> 00:02:56,700
and to find the publications
for this project,

71
00:02:56,700 --> 00:02:59,280
please visit the TxDOT Research Library

72
00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:00,963
at the link shown below.