Russian Scientists Develop ‘X-ray’ Technology for Infrastructure

A breakthrough diagnostic system for dams that works without shutting down hydroelectric plants is now ready to be applied in housing and utilities, offering new tools to monitor the safety of buildings, bridges, and roads.

Researchers at Novosibirsk State Technical University have unveiled a revolutionary method for inspecting hydraulic structures, enabling real-time assessment of their condition without halting the operation of hydroelectric stations. The innovation also paves the way for enhanced safety in housing and utilities by providing timely monitoring of the foundations of buildings, bridges, and roads, according to TASS.

The system integrates two advanced geophysical techniques: seismoemission tomography and the standing wave method. In practice, the technology ‘harks’ to the natural vibrations of structures to detect hidden defects—such as corrosion, soil erosion, or water filtration zones—that remain invisible during standard visual inspections.

The uniqueness of the method has been proven in the field during an inspection of a hydroelectric dam located in permafrost conditions. Using the system, specialists precisely identified a hazardous filtration zone at a depth of 30 meters. More than 700 measurements were carried out, and the accuracy of the results was confirmed by long-term station data.

Developers emphasize that the potential applications go far beyond the energy sector. The approach is equally effective for assessing residential buildings, bridges, road surfaces, and even mapping underground spaces.

The research team is already conducting surveys of buildings and engineering structures across various regions of Russia and abroad, demonstrating the high demand for this Russian innovation.