In the 21st Century, advanced bridge design calls for specialized analytical tools to ensure conformity with today’s requirements in respect to quality, level of detailing, efficiency, and competitiveness. Bridge design has evolved through significant advances in engineering and technology which have emerged in response to new and more efficient materials and methodologies. As a result, advanced computational modelling is at the forefront of today’s bridge design.
Putting Our Experience to Work for You
WSP uses state of the art commercial software for conducting numerical analysis and measuring in bridge projects, while designing and installing a variety of sensors to collect and process real-time data. From vibration and strain data under traffic/train loads, to verifying design/load rating parameters, our experts use complex global and local 3D finite element bridge models for determining the behavior of a structure under static, moving, and dynamic loads.
SURVEYING
Our relentless pursuit of state of the art equipment for use in property, control, and topographic surveys has placed WSP at the forefront in the field of surveying. Our teams are experienced in all facets of control, topographic, property, and right-of-way surveys and we use conventional, drone, GPS, and 3D laser scanning survey techniques.
PHOTOGRAMMETRY
Using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, WSP’s Aerial Mapping Group produces high resolution digital orthophotography and large-scale topographic and planimetric mapping, while also using digital sensors to acquire color and black-and-white stereo imagery. WSP also uses airborne GPS and LiDAR as cost-effective solutions to establishing geodetic control and producing digital terrain models.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
WSP provides a wide range of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) solutions to effectively store, organize, and manage data from a variety of sources by developing customized applications that enable our clients to work more efficiently.
3D LASER SCANNING
WSP’s 3D laser scanning services provide the benefits of safe and cost-effective road, rail, aviation, bridge, and intersection surveys for complex infrastructure, in both rural and urban settings. The use of 3D laser scanning helps minimize initial survey costs and reduces the need for additional site visits because of the extensive data collection capabilities of each scanning mission.
EARLY-AGED THERMAL CRACKING ANALYSIS
Numerous factors influence the occurrence of early-aged thermal cracking. With service lifetime expectancies of 100 years or more for today’s bridges and tunnels, controlling and minimizing those risks is of the utmost importance. WSP’s experienced teams analyze calculations regarding cracks in young concrete during its hardening and provide a working description and recommendations on how to avoid early-aged thermal cracking.
SERVICES
- Other numerical analysis and measuring services offered by WSP include:
- Linear and non-linear analysis
- Time-dependent post-tensioned concrete analysis
- Time history dynamic analysis
- Failure analysis
- Forensic analysis
- Ship collision analysis
- Ship impact studies
- Geotechnical, hydrology, and hydraulic analyses, including field investigations (river hydrology and bridge protection)
- Foundation design
- Finite Element Analysis on steel structures using Eigan value buckling analysis