On November 6, 2024, the students of the master’s module Engineering Surveying had the opportunity to experience the inspection and analysis of a steel bridge live as part of a trip under the supervision of Prof. Florian Schill and Sven Kaulfersch. The field trip was made possible by the collaboration with Landesbetrieb Mobilität Cochem-Koblenz and the Koblenz River Police.
Photos: Murat Polat (left) and Luisa Trapp (right), CC BY-SA 4.0
The objective was to give the students practical insights into modern surveying technology and the maintenance of infrastructure structures. The River Police provided on-site transportation by boat, allowing the students to access the bridge directly. This not only offered an exciting perspective of the structure, but also enabled detailed investigations at close range.
The water access also allowed for a special experiment: Using a portable FlexScan22 system from Zoller+Fröhlich and a static laser scanner, 3D scans were carried out from the boat in various positions while driving under the bridge. This method demonstrated the potential of the portable FlexScan systems, which are particularly suitable for flexible and dynamic applications in areas that are difficult to access.
On land, the students then had the opportunity to test and use the FlexScan22 systems again in detail. This enabled them to familiarize themselves with the devices and test their handling.
Furthermore, a guided tour through the interior of the bridge gave the participants an in-depth look at the supporting structure and maintenance measures necessary for the safety and longevity of structures. The LBM was also able to provide a lot of information about the maintenance of infrastructure structures.
The trip was a complete success and provided valuable insights into modern measurement technology and civil engineering.
Author:
Philipp Schimpf, student in the master’s degree program in Geoinformatics and Surveying
