The goal of the next-generation sheet piling solution is to enable preventative maintenance and extended project lifetime. The solution will be a game-changer for critical infrastructure and construction projects, such as quay walls, bridges or flood protection walls, the company says.
It says the solution makes infrastructure installations safer and more cost-effective. With this technology, sensors built into the sheet pile collect high quality and precise data that can be analysed and used for informed decision making.
Relevant information on the structural condition of the sheet pile wall – for example, regarding corrosion, deformation or inclination – can be displayed on online monitoring dashboards or even fed into the asset’s digital twin. The SmartSheetPile is able to identify accidental or weather-related damage and sound an alarm in the event of a critical incident. Potential flooding could be prevented, for example.
“Monitoring infrastructure in real time will enable early warning of potential failure risks so that preventative measures can be taken,” said Tapas Rajderkar, chief marketing officer at ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products. “This reduces maintenance costs, prevents failures and increases the life of the structure.
“We already offer such tailor-made solutions today. Beyond that we are developing SmartSheetPile further for a standardised industrial launch in the next few years,” added Rajderkar.
In addition, data collected provides insights for designers, which can be used in the development of new optimised models – with potential positive effects on material consumption and carbon footprint.