Bridge Retrofit Laser System (BRIDGE RLS)

Fuchs Consulting, Inc. provides unique laser measurement services for highway bridges structures that can be found in no other measurement system or service provider. The Bridge Retrofit Laser System (BRIDGE RLS) can make measurements that are vastly different than any other laser surveying or point-cloud based system.
Features
  • Measure very large areas, directly on the specimen surface (no special targets) with a very high accuracy
    • 328 feet diameter measurement volume
    • 0.004 to 0.0197 inch full 3D accuracy
    • No special targets (direct surface measurement)
  • Can measure with bridge open to traffic, over water, over rail lines
  • Provides useable output / engineering data
    • Targeted measurements with output useful for engineering purposes
    • NOT a large point cloud of data that needs to be manually post‐processed
Applications
  • Accurate dimensions of structural members
  • Assess damage from impact loads
  • Dimensions / bolt hole locations of gusset plates, splice plates for retrofit work
  • Quantify web panel distortions in plate girders
  • Load testing
  • Measurement complex movement not detectable with other measurement equipment
  • Measurement of girders during erection
The BRIDGE RLS makes measurements that are difficult or impossible to make with manual string‐line or tape measurements. The non‐contact laser system measures sections of a bridge structure identified for retrofit. These laser measurements are used to rapidly produce CAD design drawings of retrofit parts. The BRIDGE RLS can very accurately measure the shape, position, and dimension of members on the bridge.
The BRIDGE RLS is driven to a bridge site in a vehicle, quickly setup, and used to make measurements. No special targets are needed on the bridge and the system can make highly accurate measurements over very large distances directly on the bridge members. The system replaces conventional measurements that are made at arms‐length with low accuracy tools that include tape measures, rulers, and string lines. The laser system can measure the exact dimensions and spatial locations of bridge details. Measurements can be made over live traffic lanes with no lane closure, rail lines, or water. The system saves time and improves measurement quality by eliminating currently used manual measurements with string lines and conventional survey equipment.