Network Rail has deployed laser scanners and drones to map every inch of the 176-year-old Whalley railway viaduct in Lancashire, according to Rob Horgan in the New Civil Engineer.
A total of 300 scans were taken of the 48-arch viaduct which carries the Blackburn to Clitheroe railway line 550m across the Ribble Valley.
The scans will be used to create a “digital blueprint” of the viaduct’s condition. Network Rail will use the digital model to plan essential maintenance over the next six to 18 months to secure the 19th century structure for the future.
Network Rail North West route director Phil James said: “We’re always looking to innovate on the railway and seeing drones and lasers being used to care for such an historic structure is really impressive.
“Using this 21st century technology gives Whalley viaduct’s engineers a forensic way to plan its essential maintenance for the next 18 months.
“Great care and attention is going in to make sure our work is right from a heritage perspective. This digital model plays a major role in that as we secure the Grade II listed-structure’s future for passengers, local people and tourists.”
As well as assessing the current condition of the bridge, the model allows Network Rail to closely monitor any changes in the structure and identify problems in the ornate Victorian brickwork.
It is also safer for the workforce – previously only manual checks using abseilers or scaffolding towers would find problems in the structure.
A LiDAR survey was carried out by contractor Commendium. Drone flights also took place as part of the survey taking high-definition photographs of the Grade II listed structure.
Commendium chief executive Richard Walters added: “At first glance, scanning the Whalley viaduct looks easy. However, the proximity of other interests such as a factory, roads, public footpaths and domestic property has made this a more challenging project.
“The issue has been finding places to scan from so that we could capture all the necessary walls and features of the viaduct. Therefore local stakeholder co-operation has been essential and, frankly, without their enthusiastic help, the job would have been very much harder.”
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