MAWTS

06/12/2021

Some images taken from a recent MAWTS Ageing Infrastructure site visit to the Woodside Section of the M8 Motorway. The viaduct comprises a combination of steel reinforced and post-tension concrete beams supported on reinforced concrete pier heads, utilising half-joint detailing.

Inspections revealed extensive corrosion of steel reinforcement and spalling of concrete - deterioration mechanisms which are all too familiar with half-joint configurations. Subsequently, major works are currently in progress along the viaduct.

These issues begin to raise questions such as: What are half-joints? Why are they in the condition that you see? Based on their current condition, how can we assess the impact that these deterioration mechanisms have on the load-capacity of the structure? Would you, a member of the public or even a practising engineer, notice such deterioration in your daily commute? If so, would you know how and who to contact to raise any concerns?

These are all questions that we, at MAWTS, are working hard to provide solutions to. With the help from you, the general public, we can raise awareness regarding ageing infrastructure and potentially highlight issues at an early-stage, saving not only time, money and human resources, but also lives.

06/12/2021

Welcome to MAWTS Ageing Infrastructure, a start-up company comprising five final year MEng Civil/Structural Engineering students from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

At MAWTS, we are focused on the incorporation of citizen science into the monitoring of deteriorating highway infrastructure, along with conducting detailed structural analyses by implementing advanced modern day techniques.

As the vast majority of the general public will unlikely spend their day-to-day lives noticing structural defects - never mind reporting them, we feel an obligation as upcoming engineers to raise awareness and potentially save lives.

As a result, our website allows you, a member of the general public, a student, or even a practicing engineer or other professional, to learn what the various forms of highway infrastructure comprises, and what the main deterioration mechanisms are to look out for. From here, you can complete a severity calculator and/or complete one of our reporting forms, which will be stored in a database and be sent to us directly for further assessment. If necessary, this will then be forwarded onto the relevant local authorities.

If you wish to find out more, please feel free to follow the page and also the link to our website:

Isitfallingdown.co.uk is a website where you, a member of the public, can report any issues with structures you have noticed during your day-to-day life. We will provide you information on how to tell if certain defects are of concern structurally, or merely a concern aesthetically. You can then use...