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Flax Fibers Revolutionize Asphalt Road Maintenance with Real-Time Damage Detection

This innovative sensor system uses flax fibers to monitor asphalt roads in real-time, preventing costly repairs and ensuring road safety.

In this picture we can see a few vehicles on the road. There are people, street lights, poles, some...
In this picture we can see a few vehicles on the road. There are people, street lights, poles, some text on the boards, buildings and other objects.

Flax Fibers Revolutionize Asphalt Road Maintenance with Real-Time Damage Detection

Researchers at the Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institute (WKI) have created a groundbreaking sensor system using flax fibers. This innovation, designed for asphalt roads, can detect damages in real-time, marking a significant advancement in road maintenance.

The sensor mat, woven with conductive wires on a double-gripper loom, is robust and stable enough to endure installation and ongoing traffic loads. It can precisely record axle loads and detect damages such as cracks and holes without destroying the asphalt, unlike current methods.

The system works by measuring resistance changes in the sensor wires caused by damages in the asphalt layer. These changes are analyzed using AI-based software, providing real-time damage detection. Initial tests, both in the lab and on an industrial road, have yielded promising results.

The system's potential goes beyond immediate damage detection. It can predict expected damages, enabling road authorities and builders to address issues proactively, preventing expensive repairs and ensuring road safety.

The WKI research project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and involving several other companies and universities, has developed a revolutionary sensor system for asphalt roads. This innovation promises to transform road maintenance, making it more efficient, proactive, and cost-effective. Data from the system will be accessible on an internet platform, benefiting authorities, residents, and other stakeholders.

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