RESEARCH IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.0 Definition

"Intelligent infrastructure has attached or built-in components that are able to collect and transmit information about the state of the infrastructure to a central computer, and in some cases receive back instruction from the computer, which triggers controlling devices."

Intelligent Infrastructure encompasses:
Smart Structures "Smart structures and materials consist of sensors and actuators that are either embedded in, or attached to a structure, to form an integral part of the structure. The structure or material and its related components form a system that will react in a predicted manner and in a manner that emulates biological function." Summary of basic components of a smart structure: Data acquisition: collection of data required for control of the structure Data transmission: forward raw data to the control unit Central control centre: analyze data to determine action Data instruction: transmit decisions back to the members Controlling devices: triggered by the data instruction From Akhras (1999)	Intelligent Transportation Systems. (ITS) (From the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Web Page) The term ITS is used in two contexts. When used in the plural - ITS refers to the rapidly emerging transportation products, services and systems which are based on advanced technologies such as computers, communications and electronics; and which are called "intelligent" because their essential functions are based on attributes normally associated with intelligence - sensory capabilities, memory, communications, information processing and adaptive behavior. When used in the singular, ITS refers to the currently evolving Intelligent Transportation System which integrates all modes of the existing transportation systems that move people and goods; and encompasses the rapidly emerging intelligent transportation (sub)systems, products and services. Both technological and institutional integration are involved. Cameras like this are used to provide feedback about traffic patterns ITS products, services and systems are to be found throughout the public and private sectors. Initiatives are being pursued in traffic management and transit operations, in traveler maintenance and in integrated transportation systems. ITS activities improve transport safety, save cost, increase competitiveness, etc.	SmartPipe Concept From Pendlebury (1998): "...a SmartPipe is a fluid-conveying pipe with instrumentation for the determination of parameters describing the hydraulics and chemical nature of the fluid. ..., it has the ability to collect and transmit this information to a central computer for monitoring, optimization, and control." (Chen 1997) A SmartPipe can also be defined as a pipe that incorporates, at the time of manufacture, data transmission lines, instrumentation, and access ports for monitoring equipment". (Karney & Laine, 1997) Applications: water distribution systems, sewers, irrigation pipelines and storm water systems. Types of data collected: Hydraulic e.g. pressure, flow rate Water quality e.g. chlorine residual, pH, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, calcium, magnesium, heavy metals, chloride, turbidity Structural stress, deformation

2.0 Projects

Smart Reinforcing Cable Over a period of years while at Queen's University (Kingston), Professor Will Bawden led the development of a "SMART" (Stretch Measurement to Assess Reinforcement Tension) reinforcing cable for use in mining and civil geotechnical projects. Once installed, this instrumented cable can be used to determine how the ground is deforming in response to ongoing excavation. The cable is now routinely used in the mining industry, and has recently been installed in the construction of the Leslie Station at the TTC's Sheppard Subway Expansion Project. Ongoing work seeks to integrate this ground information with analysis, design and performance monitoring procedures, in much the same as is currently being studied for civil structures in the ISIS project.

Intelligent Tunnel Boring Machines The Sheppard Subway line tunnels in Toronto are being constructed using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM's) which are heavily instrumented for RPM, torque, thrust, power consumption, earth balance pressures etc. Professor Grabinsky has project studying the performance data and helping the contractor to optimize machine performance for improved advanced rate, lower operating costs and reduced damage to surface structures in proximity to the tunneling. TBM at work on the Sheppard Subway extension

Intelligent Transportation Systems Professor Abdulhai is the manager of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory in the Department of Civil Engineering. The emphasis of the ITS work is on Advanced Traffic Management and Information Systems (ATMIS), and Advanced Public Transit Systems (APTS). Professor Abdulhai's other research includes modeling and simulation of dynamic transportation networks and application of emerging technologies and advanced computer techniques (neural networks and reinforced learning) to advanced traffic management and information systems and infrastructure design and management.

Smart FRP Wrap for Corrosion Repair and Monitoring The principal long-term objective of this ISIS Canada project, led by Professor J.F. Bonacci, is to develop a product for repair and monitoring of bridge columns damaged by reinforcement corrosion. The "smart wrap" system under development will use advanced composite fibre wraps with integrated long-gauge fibre optic sensors (LG-FOS) to repair the cross section and provide data for remote monitoring of post-repair corrosion and estimates of load-carrying capacity. FRP technology incorporated into Leslie Street bridge, in Toronto, Ontario The project has three main activities: an experimental study, model development, and field trials of remote monitoring. The experiments and modeling are required to develop the "smart" attributes of the composite wrap by establishing the relationships between expansion and post-repair corrosion and long-term load-carrying capacity. Testing will also identify repair schemes that provide the most advantageous balance between ease of installation and post-repair performance.

SmartPipe Professor Karney is working on a collaborative project between the U of T and IPEX to develop the SmartPipe concept. A pipeline has been constructed to test system components, and preliminary designs for a SmartConnector have been produced. Pipes made of composite materials like these can be embedded with sensors, making them into SmartPipesTM

Federated Devices Professor El-Diraby’s research establishes strategies for utilization of smart materials and federated devices in infrastructure systems. This includes evaluating the benefits of their utilization, estimating their life cycle cost, developing criteria and guidelines for their use in projects, and establishing specifications on their acquisition, installation and maintenance. In addition to innovative use of robotics (for example, using robots to install fiber optic cables into sewers) a new breed of smarter materials, devices and facilities are gaining momentum in the infrastructure market. Many organizations are involved in research (and successful implementations) to incorporate sensors in the building material of physical infrastructure (especially concrete). These sensors are capable of sending information monitoring the deflection of a bridge or the water level in a telecommunication duct via wireless means to monitoring stations. Furthermore, new network-friendly devices are being designed (and utilized) to communicate in a "federated" way. These devices are able to set, define, install and debug themselves. In the case of infrastructure, gas valves, telecommunication switches, traffic signals and other devices could be added to the infrastructure system at any time. The infrastructure management system will be able to recognize them immediately and start passing orders and receiving data from them. Promising new technologies (Jini, J2ME, etc.) have been introduced to remotely control such devices through software commands. This advanced technology is opening the way to automate the control of infrastructure components through computer software.

References Akhras, G. (1999) Smart Structures with FRP composites, Annual Conference of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Regina, Saskatchewan, June 2-5. Pendulbury, M. (1998) Sensors, pipelines, and intelligent decision making: progress of the SmartPipe project, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, and IPEX Inc.