How NDT solutions are a game-changer for built health assessments

Non-destructive testing & predictive healthcare to extend the lifetime of structures

What are the biggest obstacles in road and bridge inspections today, and how does Proceq address them?

The major obstacles are the massive numbers of aging infrastructures to be inspected under severe traffic constraints. In certain markets, there are lack of experienced inspectors under aging society, as well as the needs of simpler methods to identify the structural failures without time consuming engineering judgement works. In the past year alone, Proceq was able to collect various case studies to prove our innovative technologies in identifying sinkholes, road cavities, bridge deck rebar corrosion, pavement cracks, etc..

How do Proceq’s solutions (e.g., sensors, software, data integration) improve efficiency in infrastructure assessments?

Proceq’s connected solutions enable you to see the results of the bridge inspection in augmented reality in real-time. It means you can interpret the measured data during the entire inspection without going back to the office and finding out you have missing data, then need to go back to the site. That’s efficiency. We have also developed the technologies to enable users to scan only once and cover a wide range of depth with high precision post-processed data analytics. We are currently working on improvement of data analysis efficiencies by parallel processing technology and in near future also using Artificial Intelligence.

Can you share a success story where Proceq’s technology significantly impacted a project’s outcome?

We consistently see a big impact in utility mapping for roads and bridges. For example, a recent case in Germany saw our customer saving his client tens of thousands of euros in less than an hour. With our subsurface GPR, they were able to pinpoint the exact location of a missing gas pipe without costly digging, and at the same time provide accurate 3D data for planning of new pipe installation.

How does Proceq align with global infrastructure sustainability goals?

We can efficiently detect the structural failures and/or aging phenomena of concrete structures such as rebar corrosion and concrete cracking. That leads to cost efficient refurbishment and restoration of structures, thereby the service lifetime of structures is extended without scrapping and building new structure. That is one of the most effective ways of reducing the embodied CO2 emissions. On top of that, Proceq solutions reduce excess excavation, coring and cutting, etc. That can not only improve the work efficiency but also will contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

What motivates Proceq’s R&D strategy, and how do you foresee evolving client needs driving future innovations?

In the construction industry, the average R&D investment is roughly 3-4%. We invest double digits. We do this to accelerate the cycle of producing innovation, especially in the field of data processing and AI in cooperation with our sister company, Screening Eagle Dreamlab.

Read the full article in BBR Network's CONNAECT 2025 magazine.