Structural engineering

Characterising the materials in any type of structure is the intermediate stage in a full diagnosis. INFRANEO’s R&D department has developed tools and methods to monitor and diagnose all types of civil engineering structures.

L’inspection détaillée d’une ingénierie des structures comprend obligatoirement :

• Extensive visual surveys of defects and damage
• Analysing all elements collected and the condition of the structure inspected
• Recommending measures to be taken (maintenance, additional investigations, repairs, monitoring measures, etc.)

Complementary services range from 3D modelling using patented photogrammetry to a testing programme and additional investigations.

Characterising the materials in any type of structure is the intermediate stage in a full diagnosis. INFRANEO’s R&D department has developed tools and methods to monitor and diagnose all types of civil engineering structures.

Toutes les technologies récentes sont employées et maîtrisées via nos compétences internes pour appréhender le comportement de la matière et déterminer l’origine de tout type de pathologie via des sondages, prélèvements et investigation de l’ingénierie des structures :

• Acoustic, sonic and ultra-sonic methods
• Radioactive methods
• Electromagnetic methods (ferroscans, geophysical radars)
• Optical and acoustic methods
• Thermal methods (infrared cameras)
• Dynamic testing (vibrations, impedance)
• Mechanical methods (crossbow tests to measure pre-stressing tension, internal jacking of underground structures to assess the quality of bonds with the surrounding soil, measurement of support forces with jacking).
• Electrochemical methods (corrosimeters to measure corrosion potential)
• Core drilling and sampling
• Test drilling under surface foundations

INFRANEO’s in-house test laboratories are located throughout France, ensuring technical autonomy, cost control and lead times. These tests can be carried out directly on site or on structures using samples and test pieces taken to analyse the physiochemical properties of soils and structural materials as defined in structural engineering:

• Tension, bending and compression tests
• Shear tests
• Permeability and porosity tests
• Adhesion tests
• Frost resistance tests
• Tests to determine the level of concrete carbonation
• Ph measurements and chloride, alkali, nitrate, phosphate and sulphate levels
• On the soil: French Road Earthworks Manual (GTR), calcimetry, swelling thanks to our additional soil engineering expertise

The unique identity of our existing infrastructure engineering is complemented by actual behaviour studies based on laboratory results, finite elements or a multitude of loading tests in real-life situations (water tanks on roofs, etc.).

From simple to complex audits, the aim of the diagnosis is to understand the origin of all faults observed and recorded on the structure and its environment, so as to send the operator a list of measures to be taken in terms of maintenance, repairs and monitoring. These diagnostics are essential for all rehabilitation and modification projects.

This type of project often requires the use of advanced calculation and modelling methods due to the interaction between the strength of the existing structures and the new added loads. Our experts know how to carry out these studies rigorously and efficiently, while incorporating the advances offered by numerical calculations and finite element modelling. INFRANEO provides the following services:

• Managing and carrying out investigations both on-site and at the laboratory, with a root cause tree analysis of the defects found
• Performance and durability studies of the structure
• Geotechnical risk analysis
• Calculating surface coatings due to underground works
• Recommendations and preliminary studies of repairs, reinforcements, modifications and prolongations of lifespans.
• Recalculating and determining the bearing capacity of existing structures
• Calculating to determine the conditions for the passage of abnormal loads over civil engineering structures
• Calculating structural reinforcements (additional recommendations, carbon fibre fabrics, GRP liners for metallic nozzles)
• Modelling underground structures while taking into account multiple interactions applied to the structure

INFRANEO works with contractors to help them understand their assets and schedule investments in studies and maintenance and rehabilitation works. In this spirit, INFRANEO uses its digital tools to offer personalised solutions.

• Creating a database with infrastructure inventories
• Prioritising the condition of structures thanks to our statistical tools and algorithms resulting from our multidisciplinary knowledge
• Asset management in real-time with a summary of infrastructure-related data
• Financial strategies to steer investments intelligently over several years

In this way, the state of assets and the investigations and works carried out are known at all times, enabling the project owner to define priority actions to be carried out: Inspections, Diagnostics, Works. A financial strategy is also used to assess the corresponding costs, define budgets and thus guide investments.

INFRANEO supports project managers in all aspects of their rehabilitation projects, including the creation of civil engineering structures, waterworks and drainage systems. Our teams act as designers and builders, carrying out the regulatory tasks defined in the project management profession, from feasibility studies through to acceptance of the works:

• Feasibility study: analysis of input data, constraint studies and various scenarios
• Reconnaissance, final draft and preliminary design phases: define a programme and provisional costs of works to be carried out
• Project plan and assistance with work contract phases: fine-tuning of key points with finalisation of the WFD to validate the compatibility of the project with its immediate environment and assist with the awarding of works contracts on the basis of studies approved by the project manager
• Approval phase: examining the compliance of the documents drawn up by the works contract holders with the project specified during the design phase
• Execution phase: technical, administrative and financial monitoring of the building site with the aim to ensure that the works are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the contract drawn up.

INFRANEO provides assistance to contractors during acceptance operations, as well as during the maintenance bond period.

For the purpose of inspections and the technical monitoring of works, INFRANEO provides all the intellectual services required to carry out checks on materials, equipment and the installation of associated equipment.

Whether you’re looking to secure ageing infrastructure, monitor the impact of nearby works or understand long-term phenomena, INFRANEO provides detailed, permanent monitoring of all types of structures (railway platforms, tunnels, buildings, civil engineering structures, etc.) using appropriate equipment (topographic instrumentation, geotechnical monitoring, vibration monitoring, sound measurements, etc.). Thanks to our dual expertise, this configuration can be extended to include soil monitoring.

Des solutions diversifiées d’instrumentation ou de monitoring sont mises en œuvre pour répondre à cette problématique de l’ingénierie des structures :

• Defining a system for measuring soil and structural behaviour
• Implementing defined programmes
• Collecting sensor data and continuously monitoring the structural behaviour of the building (deformation, cracking, displacement, inclination, vibrations)
• Specifying alert thresholds and managing alerts
• Analysing external environmental factors (temperature, humidity, wind)