Construction News
03/06/2011
Innovation Link With Cambridge University
Costain is collaborating with Cambridge University on a new type of sensor that could see the Company earning royalties if the device proves successful in the marketplace.
Costain's Geotechnical Services Division (GSD) is expanding its services to include state-of-the-art surveying instrumentation and the sensor, known as a 'mote', is an example of the type of service it increasingly plans to offer clients.
The mote measures inclination, or movement, in structures and detects any widening of cracks. Such sensors already exist, but the selling point of the mote is that several can be linked together in a 'mesh wireless' network. This means that they can communicate via each other and then to a gateway that transmits data to a monitoring station via 3G modem.
Should a problem arise with the wireless link between two sensors, they will create a new wireless pathway that avoids the problem area.
Other advantages of the sensors include high resolution – they can measure changes in inclination to 0.01° – very low power consumption that means their batteries last around a year and their ability to be installed very quickly.
The devices are the result of research by Cambridge University's engineering department, a member of which set up a company called Wisen to exploit the invention. Costain's Technical Director, Bill Hewlett, who has links with the University, came across the mote and realised it could be of use to the Group.
"We have a trial installation using four motes at one of the shafts in the Brighton and Hove project to bring cleaner seas to Sussex," said Senior Survey Manager, Nigel Drayton.
A group of 13 motes and two gateways is also operational at the Crossrail tunnel portal project at Pudding Mill Lane, East London, measuring any movement in two axes on a retaining wall.
Costain is also in the early stages of a project with Cambridge University to develop a mote using an infra-red laser to measure convergence in tunnels and shafts. This would be utilised on the National Grid London Power Tunnels project to monitor existing tunnels during tunnelling.
(CD/GK)
Costain's Geotechnical Services Division (GSD) is expanding its services to include state-of-the-art surveying instrumentation and the sensor, known as a 'mote', is an example of the type of service it increasingly plans to offer clients.
The mote measures inclination, or movement, in structures and detects any widening of cracks. Such sensors already exist, but the selling point of the mote is that several can be linked together in a 'mesh wireless' network. This means that they can communicate via each other and then to a gateway that transmits data to a monitoring station via 3G modem.
Should a problem arise with the wireless link between two sensors, they will create a new wireless pathway that avoids the problem area.
Other advantages of the sensors include high resolution – they can measure changes in inclination to 0.01° – very low power consumption that means their batteries last around a year and their ability to be installed very quickly.
The devices are the result of research by Cambridge University's engineering department, a member of which set up a company called Wisen to exploit the invention. Costain's Technical Director, Bill Hewlett, who has links with the University, came across the mote and realised it could be of use to the Group.
"We have a trial installation using four motes at one of the shafts in the Brighton and Hove project to bring cleaner seas to Sussex," said Senior Survey Manager, Nigel Drayton.
A group of 13 motes and two gateways is also operational at the Crossrail tunnel portal project at Pudding Mill Lane, East London, measuring any movement in two axes on a retaining wall.
Costain is also in the early stages of a project with Cambridge University to develop a mote using an infra-red laser to measure convergence in tunnels and shafts. This would be utilised on the National Grid London Power Tunnels project to monitor existing tunnels during tunnelling.
(CD/GK)
17/01/2025
Leeds Trinity University has officially opened its newly refurbished City Campus at 1 Trevelyan Square in Leeds.
Completed by GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out, the transformation of the central Leeds site introduces state-of-the-art facilities designed to improve learning and collaborate with industry partn
17/01/2025
Trammell Crow Company (TCC) has secured planning permission for a Grade A logistics scheme in Heywood, Greater Manchester, following a successful planning appeal.
The development will feature two state-of-the-art industrial and logistics buildings. One building will house two units measuring 4,796
17/01/2025
Poole-based developer AJC Group has celebrated a record-breaking 2024, delivering 100 affordable homes, a significant increase from the 72 units completed in the previous year.
Since 2023, AJC Group has completed and handed over 172 affordable homes across five sites.
In 2024 alone, the developer
17/01/2025
Plans for one of the most ambitious parks projects in London have taken a significant step forward, with Haringey Council securing nearly two additional acres of land around The Paddock nature reserve in Tottenham Hale.
The agreement with Thames Water marks a major milestone in the transformation o
17/01/2025
Islington Council has unveiled two draft guidance documents aimed at helping residents, businesses, and developers combat climate change by making buildings more energy efficient and fostering a greener, healthier borough.
The consultation seeks feedback on the draft Climate Action Supplementary Pl
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has unveiled a £98 million investment plan over the next five years to develop around 500 new homes across the city.
The proposal, part of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, received Cabinet approval this week and now moves to Full Council for final
17/01/2025
Croydon Council has announced a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Purley Pool site, with revised proposals submitted for a new leisure centre, later living housing, and the regeneration of the surrounding area.
A planning application for the site was initially submitted in 2024, pro
17/01/2025
The City of Wolverhampton Council has announced that demolition work has commenced on the New Park Village estate, marking the start of a major £40 million redevelopment project to transform outdated council housing.
Contractor DSM Demolition has begun pulling down poor-quality bungalows on Valley
17/01/2025
Hillingdon Council has acquired 12 new homes at Carpenters Court in Uxbridge.
Leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Ian Edwards and Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, visited the site to officially mark the handover of the properties from local developer Kearns Devel
17/01/2025
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show's 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design.
Established 26 years ago, th