Bridge Monitoring with 6D Sensors

Six-dimensional bridge monitoring

The 6D sensor measures translation and rotation at the same measurement point with a repeatability of ±50 µm and ±0.1°, wirelessly and without requiring a power connection to the structure.

Tilt, displacement, and settlement in a sensor unit

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You don't see what happens between building inspections

Bridges are constantly moving due to temperature changes, traffic loads, material fatigue, and settlement at the abutments. Structural inspections assess the condition of a structure as of a specific date. Changes that occur between inspections remain invisible.

For critical structures in operation, this is a risk that cannot be addressed through periodic inspections alone. Damage that begins to develop between inspection intervals is often not noticed until an unscheduled closure becomes necessary.

This is how our sensors continuously monitor your bridge

Install the sensor on the bridge bearing or support structure

The reference object and sensor are each secured to the bridge abutment, the counterabutment, or the supporting structure with two screws. No special tools are required, and there is no need to alter the structural integrity of the bridge. Activation is achieved by placing a magnet against the sensor or connecting the battery cable. The bridge remains in operation during installation; traffic control on one side of the bridge is usually sufficient.

Continuously transmit motion data

Once the sensor is active, it wirelessly transmits translation and rotation data to our data hub. Data is transmitted via LTE-M and Wi-Fi. The motion history can be accessed at any time as a timeline, without the need for anyone to be on site.

Define thresholds; trigger an alarm if exceeded

You define the critical values for each measurement point in advance. If these values are exceeded, our system sends an email notification to the designated recipients. The complete movement history is also available as documentation for the next structural inspection.

Measurement points for crack monitoring

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Recommended sensors for bridge monitoring

There is a sensor to suit every motion pattern and measurement point.

6D sensor (primary solution)

The leading solution for bridge monitoring. Measures translation along three spatial axes and rotation around three axes with a single measurement. Patented in the EU and the U.S.

Features:

Measurement in six dimensions (X, Y, Z, and rotation around three axes)
Repeatability: ±50 µm (translation), ±0.1° (rotation)
Built-in temperature sensor (±0.5 °C)
10-year battery life with hourly measurements
Wireless transmission via LTE-M and Wi-Fi
EU and U.S. Patents

More information →

3D sensor

For bridge applications where only translational movement is relevant, such as settlement measurements at the abutment or displacements in the bridge structure without any rotational component.

Features:

Measurement in three spatial axes (X, Y, Z)
Repeatability ±50 µm
Built-in temperature sensor
10-year battery life with daily measurements
Wireless transmission via LTE-M and Wi-Fi
Compact design with no external cables

More information →

What's changing for you

Specific differences compared to spot inspections and conventional sensor technology.

Six dimensions in a single measurement

Translation and rotation at the same measurement point within a single sensor. Other sensor systems require multiple devices or multiple setups to capture the same motion profile. Patented in the EU and the U.S.

All measurement data in a single dashboard. CSV export for structural engineers and reports, API integration for third-party sensors, and multi-tenant support for complex projects.

Datahub in Detail

Maintenance during operation

Installation and data retrieval do not require a full closure of the bridge. Traffic control on one side is usually sufficient, which reduces renovation costs and traffic disruption.

Movement history for structural inspection

All measurement values are available as a CSV export for the next inspection. The continuous data set reduces the effort required for structural inspections and supplements the visual inspection with concrete figures.

Early warning of critical changes

If a threshold is exceeded, our system automatically sends an email notification. Potential issues are detected early, before unscheduled downtime becomes necessary.

Real-world projects

Selected bridge monitoring projects using our sensors.

May1

Brentenberg Tunnel

Real-time structural monitoring following a tunnel fire to enable rapid reopening during ongoing restoration work.

Building:

Tunnel

Location:

Austria

Sensors:

3D sensor

Read the case study →

Rastatt Tunnel

Wireless 3D measurement of concrete segments in tunnel construction.

Building:

Tunnel

Location:

Germany

Sensors:

3D Sensor XT

Read the case study →

Stuttgart 21

Continuous monitoring of structural movements in the historic reception building during the critical construction phase

Building:

Historic train station building

Location:

Stuttgart, Germany

Sensors:

6D sensor, GNSS sensor

Read the case study →

Residential building

High-precision building monitoring of settlement and crack development to assess damage caused by subway construction work.

Building:

Historic building

Location:

Central Europe

Sensors:

3D sensor, 6D sensor, GNSS sensor

Read the case study →

Danube Bridge

Monitoring of bearing and abutment movements and structure temperature during operation.

Building:

steel bridge

Location:

Lower Austria

Sensors:

6D sensor

Read the case study →

May1

What our customers say

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Bridge Monitoring

For bridges, the 6D sensor is the primary solution because it measures both translation and rotation simultaneously. Tilting at bridge bearings or structural rotations are recorded with a repeatability of ±0.1°. If the goal is to measure only settlement at the abutment or displacements without a rotational component, the 3D sensor is sufficient.

Conventional systems either measure only translation or only rotation, or require multiple sensors to capture a complete picture of motion. The 6D sensor captures all six degrees of freedom in a single measurement, using just one setup. The patent is valid in the EU and the U.S.

Yes. Installation on the bridge bearing or supporting structure does not require a full road closure. Traffic control on one side of the road is usually sufficient. The sensor is secured with two screws and is ready for operation once the magnet is attached or the battery cable is connected.

When measured hourly, the 6D sensor has a battery life of ten years. The 3D sensor has a battery life of ten years when measured daily. No battery replacement is necessary within the typical maintenance intervals for a bridge.

All measurement values are available in the Datahub as a CSV export. You can use the movement history as documentation for the next structural inspection. Any anomalies that occur between inspection intervals become visible over time and can be included in the inspection report.

You define the critical thresholds for each monitoring point in advance. If a threshold is exceeded, our system automatically sends an email notification to the designated recipients. This allows you to initiate an unscheduled inspection before the condition deteriorates to a critical level.

Discuss bridge monitoring for your structure

During the consultation, we’ll show you which sensor is right for your bridge and how quickly the sensors can be installed while the bridge is in operation.