Technology and systems

It is worth pointing out that INES has developed its own programs for the analysis of masonry structures and infrastructure management systems:

» Software for masonry structures calculation

The company has developed a specific program for the analysis of masonry structures in which the data are the geometry and mechanical characteristics of the factory and the acting forces, even those on the supports, and the output is the resulting stress in each section and the derived magnitudes. The program discretizes (subdivides) the structure into a set of sections parallel to each other and, by using only the balance equations, provides the resulting forces in each of those sections and their crossing point.

The program is useful to determine the level of thrust on the structure abutments that work as arches, buttresses, stirrup mass, etc. The program works in two dimensions but is applicable to three-dimensional cases such as vaults using appropriate assumptions and varying widths. The program also takes data on the factory that constitutes the structure, allowing the stresses in each section to be compared with the resistance values expressed as envelope interaction diagrams.

» Bridge Management Systems

INES Ingenieros has developed a comprehensive methodology for bridge management, ranging from the structure inventory module (definition of the bridge heritage) to the routine inspection and main inspection modules (the preservation state of this heritage.) This methodology is based on:

• a series of manuals or guides, used as working papers for each of the phases and aimed at different levels of participation (structure manager, expert inspector, consults, etc.), supplemented with the corresponding training courses
• a software application adapted to different users. This application has been developed on two different platforms (INGRID, fully programmed by technicians of the company, and INCA, in cooperation with the firm IPSVial)

The different work levels (inventory completion and the different degrees of inspections) are globally or partially performed by INES technical engineers, always seeking as much active collaboration as the client’s personnel can provide as a way of obtaining an activity in the system that guarantees its own operation. The most specialized tasks (implementation of the system, training, etc.) are always carried out by the company technicians.

This Structural Management System has been successfully implemented both in local governments such as in the Zaragoza and Barcelona councils (2008 and 2009, respectively) and in the central government, where it is used in the General Road Network of the Ministry of Public Works, as well as in private clients (CINTRA).

» Structural Monitoring Systems

In addition, INES Ingenieros has developed dynamic monitoring systems that allow static and dynamic loads on structures of both civil works and buildings to be tested. The instrumentation available to INES Ingenieros is:

• Displacement Sensors (LVDT). Inductive displacement sensors manufactured by Schreiber Messtechnik are used to measure bridge movement. Each sensor has a coil inside which moves a NiFe core axially, and the position of this core produces the corresponding inductance distribution in both halves. This distribution is then transformed by an external amplifier into a signal that is proportional to the travel and generates voltage readings that can be transformed later into measurements of length through the data acquisition unit and the software used.
• Accelerometer. Schaevitz servoacelerometer with a range of ±0.5 g and 1 g of internal compensation, to measure linear vertical acceleration.
• Data Acquisition Unit. A USB-6229 BNC module manufactured by National Instruments is used. This is a multipurpose high-performance data acquisition USB module (DAQ) that provides high levels of accuracy at high sampling rates. The NI USB-6229 has 32 analogue inputs, 4 analogue outputs, 8 DIO and 2 BNC terminals. The data acquisition unit has threaded terminals that ease and simplify configuration, installation and signal connection. It also allows bidirectional high-speed data transfer speed through the USB bus.
• Metering Software. The Labview 8.6 software is used for data acquisition and processing. The latest version of this software is a functional graphical development environment that also allows the functional analysis of measurements and the presentation of data, applying the customized user interface that is compatible with the data acquisition unit with USB connectivity.

INES Ingenieros also has independent reading units to read different discrete parameters (movement, turns, temperature, humidity, etc.). These units have been successfully applied in buildings as unique as the BBVA headquarters in Bilbao.

Moreover, the company has developed different methods of inspection, monitoring and diagnostics of structures and materials for engineering and consultancy work.

» Equipment:

INES currently relies on the following equipment:

• Ultrasound equipment (Pundit or similar with special sensors for field use)
• Five (5) PROFOMETER pachometers manufactured by PROCEQ, to locate reinforcement bars and measure concrete coating.
• Canin+ corrosion meter manufactured by PROCEQ, to perform corrosion potential mapping and control and to measure the electrical resistivity of the concrete.
• Endoscopy Equipment.
• Portable camera for the inspection of sanitary and supply water networks, for diameters from 50 mm to 300 mm, equipped with a 50 m-long semi-rigid guide wire. The RavenEye also has an RF probe station for outdoor locations, a 4'' monitor and a camera with an automatic mechanism that ensures correct verticality of the image under any camera position.
• Precision leveling equipment
• An own Leica Total Station model TC (R) 407 that guarantees a precision of 3 mm + 2 ppm in electromagnetic distance measurements and 7" in angle observation.
• Schmidt hammer
• Sclerometer, L model, manufactured by PROCEQ.
• GPS, ETREX VISTA model, manufactured by Garmin
• Portable power generator
• Geological compasses
• Digital photo and video cameras
• Personnel protection equipment (PPE): approved helmets and boots, reflecting vests, dust and projection glasses, hearing protection, safety harnesses, waterproof boots, warm clothing, etc.
• Equipment for the development of salt and humidity maps: HI98033 Hanna conductivity meter, Hanna conductivity immersion metering probe, thermometer and moisture meter.
• Laser rangefinder (maximum length: 20 m)
• Moisture meter: "Mini" Micrometer
• Thermohygrometer HOBO Pro v2 RH data logger / Temp (two channels) -40ºC to +70ºC and 0-100% RH. Memory for 42,000 data items and optical USB base station for HOBO Pro V2 to download data from the HOBO Pro v2 units.

Finally, INES has vehicles, digital cameras, safety , protection and signaling elements, for the inspection and technical assistance duties.